Center For Plastic Surgery

Procedures

"You’re only as old as you feel." "I feel much younger than I look!" Which of these statements would you make? If you chose the latter one, you may be interested in facial rejuvenation by means of cosmetic surgery. Many men and women do feel younger than their physical appearance would indicate and have taken steps to restore a younger look to their face. As people grow older. the natural aging process and other factors cause the skin to wrinkle and sag and fit more loosely. Aesthetic surgery can help by reshaping or re-contouring facial features to improve and sometimes eliminate evidence of aging.

Who Can be Helped?
The ideal candidate for facial aesthetic surgery has some early signs of aging. These may include sagging skin due to loss of skin elasticity or sun damage, and in many people this is particularly noticeable on the front of the neck and along the jaw line. Other indications of aging are wrinkled folds of skin on the upper eyelids, bags below the eyes, and sagging eyebrows. All of these factors combine to give a tired, worn-out appearance to the face. Restoration through facial cosmetic surgery can result in rejuvenation of your features. It doesn’t make you look like a different person, but refreshes your appearance.

The First Step
A visit with a plastic surgeon is the first step to take when contemplating facial surgery. The patient should have a reasonable expectation regarding the surgery, keeping in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection. The goal of the surgery is to produce a pleasing natural appearance. A frank discussion with your doctor should be held to convey what you desire in the way of changes. Cosmetic surgery can improve your appearance but it may not revolutionize your life. Your self-confidence may be renewed but the rest is up to you.

On your initial visit, a medical history will be taken and a physical examination done. The surgeon can then explain the specific details of the surgical procedure, the benefits and the expected recuperative period, as well as the costs of the surgery. Of course, no surgery is risk-free but millions of people have been quite pleased with the final result of their cosmetic surgery.

How is it Done?
In many instances, more than one of these procedures can be done at the same time. They are usually done at an outpatient facility without requiring a hospital stay. Intravenous sedation in combination with local anesthesia is given to keep the patient comfortable during the surgery. Pain medication taken orally is sufficient to control any discomfort and most people begin to feel better in five to seven days. Some swelling and bruising may be evident for seven to ten days, however, normal activities can be resumed fairly early. Strenuous activities should be avoided for about three weeks.

Can I Afford This?
Because this type of surgery is usually done on an elective basis, it is not generally covered by insurance. Doctor’s fees, facility and anesthesia costs vary depending on the length and complexity of the procedure. These fees are usually paid prior to the operation.

Examine the accompanying chart for more information on the specific procedure that interests you.