Whether you want to look better in pictures or feel confident about your appearance, surgical and non-invasive cosmetic procedures can make all the difference. Here are 5 top plastic surgery procedures facial plastic surgeons recommend.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) tightens sagging skin to minimize wrinkles, a full forehead lift, brow lift, and eyelid surgery reduce aging lines, and a neck lift improves a double chin.
Facelift
A facelift, called rhytidectomy, addresses sagging skin and tissue in the lower two-thirds of your face and neck. This surgical procedure removes excess fat and tightens the muscles and tissues in your facial area, smoothing lines and wrinkles and giving you a younger-looking appearance.
In a full facelift (sometimes referred to as a traditional or classic facelift), the surgeon makes inconspicuous cuts around your temples and ears, then separates the top layer of your skin from the muscles and tissue underneath. They may trim the excess skin and sew, staple, or tape it closed.
A mini facelift is similar but less invasive, with smaller cuts and incisions. Some surgeons also use liposuction to collect and redistribute fat for added lift, if needed.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, can improve the appearance of sagging or drooping breasts. It can raise the position of the nipples and reduce the size of the darker areas around them, called areolae.
Natural aging and pregnancy can stretch the bands of tissue that support the breasts, leading to sagging. This effect may accelerate if the woman has previously had large, heavy breasts.
A breast lift reshapes the breasts to provide a refreshed, attractive contour. It can be combined with breast implants (augmentation) for more dramatic results. Women who want to enlarge their cup size can choose this treatment or another option, such as natural fat transfer.
Liposuction
Liposuction, or lipo sculpture, removes isolated pockets of fat to slim and reshape body areas. It is most effective for people in the healthy weight range who have firm skin.
This Bellevue plastic surgery involves creating tiny incisions and using a small tool to suction excess fat. The results are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight.
Isolated pockets of fatty tissue appear on most bodies due to weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or the natural aging process. Liposuction can eliminate them to reduce the appearance of the arms, stomach, abdomen, flanks, hips, buttocks, or chin.
During the procedure, your surgeon may give you medicine to help manage pain. Some side effects include fluid buildup in the treatment area and numbness. Some people have a risk for lidocaine toxicity, which can cause severe heart and central nervous system problems.
Eyelid Lift
Eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. It can dramatically improve the appearance of drooping upper and lower lids and reduce puffiness in the area around the eyes.
The delicate skin surrounding the eyes is typically the first area to show signs of aging. Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes can give people a tired, angry, or aged expression. Drooping eyelids can also interfere with vision.
Duke oculofacial plastic surgeons perform blepharoplasty to enhance facial appearance and reduce signs of aging in the eyelids. During the procedure, your doctor will make small cuts in the eyelids and remove or reposition excess fat to eliminate puffiness. The incisions are then closed with absorbable or non-absorbable sutures.
Neck Lift
A neck lift reduces the appearance of loose skin around the chin and jawline. It also tightens musculature and improves overall facial contouring.
Neck lift surgery can be performed alone or with other facelift procedures and liposuction. The results of a neck lift can take weeks to appear.
Before neck lift surgery, it’s important to stop taking aspirin and any other drugs that thin the blood. It’s also best to arrange for someone to drive you home from the procedure and stay with you during the first night after surgery.
Neck lift surgery can cause temporary changes in sensation, including numbness. It can also increase the risk of complications, such as a chest infection or blood clots. These complications typically resolve independently, but you may need medical attention if they worsen.
