Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic surgery covers a wide variety of procedures. Some of these are intended primarily to improve a person’s appearance and self-confidence. Others are necessary to correct deformities present from birth, such as a cleft palate, or the results of injuries or burns. Some of the more common forms of plastic surgery are discussed below.
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty is a procedure similar to liposuction but involves removal of some excess skin as well as fat. Recovery time is longer for those who have undergone abdominoplasty.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is usually performed to remove excess fat and skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Generally, there is little or no pain involved.
Breast Surgery
Breast augmentation, or enlargement, is typically performed for cosmetic reasons. Breast reduction may be performed for cosmetic reasons or to relieve medical problems, such as neck and back pain or breathing difficulties. Breast reconstruction is typically performed following a mastectomy.
In breast augmentation, implants are placed under your breast tissue (subglandular position) or under your pectoralis muscle (submuscular position). While recovery time is greater when implants are placed in the submuscular position, a more natural look is achieved with less likelihood of visible or palpable edges around the implant. Implants in the submuscular position are also less likely to interfere with future mammograms.
Although breast implants used to be filled with silicone, saline solution (salt water) has been used in accordance with a 1992 ruling by the Food and Drug Administration.
A small incision may be made under the arm, around the nipple, or in the breast fold. Saline implants are usually inserted empty, then filled once they are in place. This keeps the incision small.
Like the human breast, implants come in all shapes and sizes. Some are round while others are more anatomical, with a gentle slope. You physician can help you decide what size and shape is appropriate for you.
Of course, all surgery carries some degree of risk. Risk from breast augmentation includes bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, changes in feeling in the nipple, and deflation or shifting of the implant. Breast implants may also make breast cancer harder to find.
A history of infections, slow wound healing, certain medications, or even smoking may be reasons not to perform the surgery. Again, your physician can help you decide whether breast augmentation is appropriate for you.
The surgery itself will take between one and two hours. You will feel tired and sore for several days afterward. You will probably be asked to a wear a postoperative bra for extra support while you heal. Your body will need a few weeks to adjust to the implant before you can really see the “final results.”
Botox
Botox is injected into certain areas of the face, often the vertical lines between the eyebrows, to eliminate wrinkles or furrows. Botox temporarily weakens the nerves that control the muscles behind frown lines or “crows’ feet.”
Laser Surgery and Chemical Peels
As we age, many people become interested in laser surgery or chemical facial peels. Facelifts and eyelid surgery can help with certain things, but they do not help with fine “spider web” wrinkles, those horizontal forehead wrinkles, “crow’s feet” under the eyes, or the vertical wrinkles above and below the lips. Often these can be improved by laser surgery or chemical facial peels.
In laser surgery, a beam of light called a laser is used to gently remove layers of dead skin cells, resulting in a more youthful appearance. A chemical facial peel uses a chemical solution applied to the skin to achieve similar results.
Laser surgery or chemical peels can improve uneven pigmentation of the skin as well as dark circles under the eyes, wrinkles, or rough skin. It is important to note both processes may lighten the skin to some degree.
Laser resurfacing or chemical peels may be done as an isolated procedure around the eyes, lips, face, etc. They may also be performed along with facelift and eyelid surgery. Laser resurfacing or chemical peels may be done around the mouth at the completion of facelift surgery. Laser resurfacing or chemical peels over an area that has already been operated on, such as cheeks in facelift surgery or eyelids in blepharoplasty, may be delayed for as long as three or four months following surgery.
Laser resurfacing or chemical peels are usually done in an outpatient setting using only “twilight” sedation and local anesthesia. The procedure involves the careful application of laser light or peel solution to the skin. Discomfort is usually mild and eased with oral medication.
There is usually a significant amount of swelling over the first three or four days after laser surgery. This usually begins to improve after five or seven days. After a couple of weeks, the skin is bright pink. Makeup usually can be worn. Under certain circumstances, the patient can go back to work and social functions. The pinkness is usually gone after three or four months. In the meantime, it usually can be camouflaged with makeup. Nothing, however, can remove those wrinkles which appear only during facial expressions. Also, nothing can remove pores.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes pockets of excess fat. After making a small incision, the surgeon inserts a plastic tube about the size of a pencil under the skin. The tube, called a canula, is attached to a machine that creates a vacuum, suctioning out the fat.
The best candidates for liposuction are healthy men and women who are close to their normal weight. They have pockets of excess fat, typically around their waist or hips, that do not respond to diet and exercise.
While liposuction can improve your appearance and self-confidence, it is important to have realistic expectations. It is important talk to your doctor before surgery about what you can expect afterward. Liposuction will not necessarily give you the body of your dreams, or make anyone treat you differently. It is no substitute for sensible diet or regular exercise.
All surgery involves some risk of complications, but liposuction is a fairly low-risk procedure. It is typically performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting and takes between one and two hours.
The recovery process depends on many factors such as the procedure used and the patient’s age, but can take as long as six weeks or more. At first, there will be some soreness and bruising, and a snug-fitting compression garment may be worn underneath clothing to reduce swelling.
Nose Reshaping
Nose reshaping is the most common form of plastic surgery. It includes rhinoplasty, which is aimed at improving appearance, septoplasty, which repairs deformities or injuries that may impair breathing, and septorhinoplasty, which is a combination of both.
Other common forms of plastic surgery are:
- chin augmentation.
- cleft lip and palate reconstruction.
- collagen implants.
- dermabrasions and scar revisions.
- facelifts and forehead lifts.
- otoplasty to reduce protroding ears.
- submental lipectomy for fat under the chin.
Remember, only a qualified plastic surgeon can help you decide if a plastic surgery option is appropriate for you.
For more information about these and other plastic surgery options, call UT Medical Group at 901-347-8290.
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