April 2012

Single, Cosmetic, Outpatient Procedures That Can Make a Huge Impact!

People often ask me if I look at others with a view toward what surgical procedure I would choose for them. Well, I guess I would have to confess that I DO think about my work even when “off duty”.

So, I have come up with some examples of just single, relatively short procedures which can be done as an outpatient, that really can create an amazing change in a person’s looks. My aim is to show you what can be done, “if I could just have one procedure”!

The Eyes Have It:

Eyelid Surgery

I hear both women and men complain about looking tired, even when they are not! Perhaps there was a comment at work, or by friends. Often it is just some excess skin of the upper eyelids that hoods the eyes and creates a less bright-eyed look. It usually starts with the upper eyelids, but can encompass the upper and lower eyelids. Enter the upper eyelid blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift. Many times, this can be done right in the office under local anesthesia with mild sedatives taken by mouth, or by a short outpatient center procedure with deeper anesthesia. The results can be amazing; creating that alert, rested, engaged-with-life look.

Who nose?

Rhinoplasty

Patients come to me with gorgeous looks and beautiful skin, but with a wish that their nose were somewhat more refined to match the rest of their face. They may dislike their nasal “hump”, or the ball-like tip of their nose or some crookedness. A cosmetic rhinoplasty can create a harmonious look without necessarily changing the entire character of the face. The philosophy of rhinoplasty is to refine the nose to fit the face and the person, not to completely alter looks. Nose surgery is most often done under deeper sedation or general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center. The changes in a person’s outlook and confidence can be profound!

High brow talk:

Brow Lift

With the advent of neurotoxins, such as Botox, Dysport and the new Xeomin, frown lines and forehead lines can be softened. An actual forehead lift or brow lift procedure is less common than it used to be now, but can have distinct advantages over the neurotoxins. For one thing, the surgical procedure is more permanent. I love brow lifts for people with very heavy brow musculature, brows which are low or saggy (we call that ptotic brows) or which have lost that delicate brow arch, a great deal of excess skin hanging along the lateral eyebrow, and severe crow’s feet wrinkles. The brow lift can really open up the midface, creating a softer, friendlier, more alert and younger appearance. It is often done as an outpatient procedure at a surgery center under sedation or general anesthesia.

Take it on the chin:

Chin Implant

When I evaluate the face for any surgery, I look at the proportions and the bone structure, as well as the over-all soft tissue covering and skin. When people ask about their neck, more may be involved than loose skin or fat. Sometimes just adding a relatively small chin implant can create more harmony in the face and that nice, right-angled, longer neck look. This procedure can be incorporated into a face lift or rhinoplasty procedure, or just be done on its own and can provide a distinctly more beautiful neck-line. It is also an outpatient and relatively short procedure.

Breast Wishes:

Breast Augmentation

And I would be remiss as a plastic surgeon if I did not mention the real joy and confidence building that breast augmentation can accomplish. Like it or not, the breast is symbolic of many things: sexuality, maternal nurturing, femininity and gender. Some women get amazing satisfaction in enhancing that area of their body.

Mommy Make-over:

This is traditionally a combination of breast surgery and tummy surgery, but often it is just the tummy that is the issue. I have slim, athletic women who have had their children and who are back doing their marathons, Pilates, Yoga and tennis but who have some excess stretched skin of their tummies that prevent them from wearing crop tops or two piece swimsuits. A tummy tuck can get rid of that excess, stretch-marked skin and tighten the abdomen, enhancing the options for clothes and activities.

Sidebar (perhaps) on anesthesia:

Patients often voice concern about being "put under", especially for a purely elective procedure. Modern, out-patient anesthesia is very safe, provided one is basically healthy and uses a surgery center with Board Certified anesthesiologists. The surgery center should be accredited and possess all the safety features required by state laws. There are very strict rules and requirements for accreditation and for Medicare status. Beware of "office surgery," which may seem convenient, but may not have the safety features that are essential for health, well-being and a positive outcome.