Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

If you’re reading this, you’re probably familiar with a facelift to some degree. But, just to make sure we’re all on the same page, here’s a short description: It’s a cosmetic surgical procedure that lifts and tightens sagging skin on the face and neck to create a more youthful appearance.

The recovery can be relatively intense. A bandage may be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. And small tubes are sometimes used to draw off any excess blood or fluid. You should be able to return to work within a couple of weeks, but it could take up to a year for the all of the residual swelling and bruising and changes to skin sensation to completely subside.

A mini facelift, as you may have already suspected, is a less invasive surgery with a comparatively easier recovery. Essentially, it entails a couple of smaller incisions and less cutting of the underlying tissue. The incisions are typically located along the hairline above each ear or in the natural creases that surround the ears. Through them, the tissue around the cheeks—as opposed to the entire face—is lifted and tightened, improving sagging jowls and refining the jawline.

In some cases, local anesthesia with sedation may even be a better option than general anesthesia. And the recovery time with a mini facelift is much shorter. Most are back to work within a week, some in as little as a long weekend. Thanks to the shorter incisions, there’s also less pain and swelling than there is with a full facelift.

Who’s a good candidate?

The results are obviously milder with a mini facelift because it’s a far less extensive surgery than the facelift. It won’t remedy prominent jowls, nor will it do more for the neck than provide it with a subtle lift. It’s only really able to treat mildly to moderately sagging skin. For those reasons, it’s utilized, largely, as a means to address the early signs of aging before they become too pronounced.

An appropriate candidate is someone in their forties or early fifties who are exhibiting some subtle facial sagging that’s centered in the middle of their face. Once we enter our fifties, skin laxity becomes more significant all around the face and neck—and more difficult to correct. But there are exceptions, such as someone who’s never been overweight. Skin laxity is directly tied to age-related collagen loss. But thin people have less fat on their faces, which places less stress on the skin. So, those of us in good health may be a candidate for a mini facelift into our early fifties.

One step further

It’s not uncommon for mini facelifts to be paired with a nonsurgical procedure, like Botox. It won’t add to your recovery time, and it’ll enhance the parts of your face—the forehead in the case of Botox—that the mini facelift will not, contributing to an outcome that’s bound to exceed expectations. After all, who among us, given the opportunity, would pass on trading a few days to look a few years younger?

A lot of people ask if plastic surgery is right for them? Determining whether to have plastic surgery is a very personal decision for everyone. There’s no wrong reason for justifying it, but it still needs to be carefully considered from every angle. To help with that process, here are a few key questions to ask yourself.

Why do I want plastic surgery?

The catalyst for your desire to have plastic surgery may be easy to pinpoint: a genetic trait, a trauma, aging. But, why do you want plastic surgery? And why now?

Be sure to trace those questions to their root and answer them honestly. Plastic surgery can provide a big confidence boost. If, however, you’re doing it for the sake of someone else’s happiness or to help soften a particularly tumultuous time in your life, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. Do it for yourself, and yourself alone.

What do you know about the procedure?

Obviously, a plastic surgeon’s going to answer any questions you may have, but you’ll want to arrive for your initial consultation already fairly well-educated about your procedure. (Reading this blog post is a good start.)

Go online and try to find as much as you can not only about the procedure itself but also what constitutes the ideal candidate for it, what you should realistically expect for an outcome, any potential complications, and a general idea of what it’s going to cost. The more knowledgeable you can be entering your consultation, the more productive it’s going to be.

Can you afford it?

Most plastic surgery is considered cosmetic, so it’s not covered by health insurance. And a surgical procedure can be costly. But many board-certified plastic surgeons offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards and health care financing. So, the cost shouldn’t necessarily be a deterrent. You should, however, be prepared when you meet with a financing specialist during your consultation.

You’ll also want to get the exact price for your procedure and ensure that there aren’t any hidden fees. The total cost should include the surgeon’s fee, the cost of the anesthesiologist, the surgical center’s fees, follow-up appointments, and surgical garments. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of any medications.

Can you handle the recovery?

It’s only natural to focus on the “after” picture, but the recovery from your intended procedure shouldn’t be glossed over. You’re going to be tired, sore, swollen, and bruised for a few days, or even a couple of weeks, depending on your procedure.

Make sure you have ample vacation time because you’re not going to want to push yourself and risk complications. If you have young kids, is there a family member or close friend you can ask to help you look after them until you feel more like your normal self?

Where do I find a surgeon?

Once you’ve answered all of the above to your satisfaction, start searching for a surgeon online. Filter them through a couple of qualifiers:

• Is she/he a board-certified plastic surgeon?
• Does she/he have extensive experience with my procedure?

Once you’ve narrowed the field down to a few surgeons, schedule consultations with each of them. That face-to-face meeting is going to help you see how much rapport you have with a surgeon, and that should never be discounted. Plastic surgery, as we said, is a personal decision. So, naturally, the connection between patient and doctor plays a critical part. Contact Dr. Davis today and see if plastic surgery is right for you.