Facial Procedures |

Grandmother Wants A New Nose For Christmas: Cosmetic Surgery Thrives Among Seniors

nose surgery If you thought that you could not be more surprised by cosmetic surgery after watching what they will show television series such as Extreme Makeover and Nip and Tuck, prepare yourself because this next fact may shock you more than what the plastic surgeons are doing on the television.

Unlike what you may perceive as the main age group of people getting plastic surgery, people who are grandparents are the highest age group to head into a plastic surgeon’s office.

In fact, seniors or those in their late forties and fifties are more likely to be seen in a cosmetic surgeon’s office over teens and those in their twenties. Why? Well, the likely reason is because they have the money it requires to have plastic surgery, but a lot of it is due to the fact that the grandparent generation is the baby boomer generation. It is now not fashionable to simply mature with age and grow older, they feel the pressure to grow older under their own terms, and if that requires a face lift, so be it!

Fix Your Torn Earlobes with Plastic Surgery

Women have worn earrings since the time of Christ. One of the risks of pierced ears is having the earlobe split when the earring is tugged by a small child or caught on clothing. The risk for earlobe tears increases with the weight of the earring or with large hoop earrings.

Plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction is often important to self-esteem of women. Many women enjoy augmenting their appearance with jewelry. The inability to wear jewelry or a short haircut because of their embarrassment of the deformity on their earlobes often decreases women’s self esteem and can cause social anxiety disorders.

Even though plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction is simple and cost effective many women chose to continue to wear their hair over their ears and clip earings to hide the deformity.

Plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction is a procedure in which the surgeon can repair traumatic injury or genetic defect. Although insurance companies don’t generally pay for cosmetic surgeries, plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction, when traumatic or genetic, insurance might pay for it. Check with your insurance company for pre-authorization and to determine whether a letter of medical necessity will help clear your surgery for payment.

The earlobe contains no cartilage or bone but is made up only of skin and fatty tissue. This makes both trauma and repair easier. Earlobe trauma can be mild, where the tear remains only in the inner lobe or severe, where the earlobe is completely split in half.

In the case of a mild tear the repair can be done almost immediately. In fact, sometimes a surgeon can leave a spacer so that the ear will not have to be re-pierced after the ear has healed completely.

In the case of a severe tear, the ear must completely heal before it can be repaired. Plastic surgeons have several procedural options to fully repair the earlobe. Unfortunately in the event of a severe tear, scar tissue may be evident after healing is completed.

Plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction is done under local anesthesia while the patient is awake. The procedure usually takes an hour or less and the patient is free to go home that day. Because the procedure is not done under a general anesthesia the usual type of precautions are not necessary. With general anesthesia, usually patients are not allowed to eat or drink for at least 6 hours prior to the surgery but with a local anesthetic there are no prerequisites as far as food and drink.

Doctors will often write for mild pain medication, but most patients use only over the counter medication such as Tylenol and Advil. Some patients find an ice pack will decrease pain and swelling in the earlobe.

Following reconstructive surgery, the plastic surgeon will leave the earlobe open to air. No dressings are used and the earlobe is allowed to drain for several days. The patient is often sent home with antibiotic ointment to put on the wound twice a day.

Plastic surgery earlobe reconstruction is simpler and easier than it used to be. Insurance companies often cover the cost of surgery that is necessary because of trauma or genetic defect. The surgery will also not affect hearing. Start with your primary care physician to find a plastic surgeon who will be meet your needs.

Is Chin Plastic Surgery for You? (Mentoplasty)

Chin plastic surgery can be done to reshape the chin or to correct excess skin and fatty tissue beneath the jaw that leads to a double chin deformity. In the second instance, a double chin deformity, chin plastic surgery often is accomplished using Tumescent Liposuction.

This procedure works by removing the excess fat through an incision under the chin. This procedure has less side effects and a more rapid recovery than a facelift. It also has less scarring than with earlier methods.

The Tumescent Liposuction can easily remove the double chin and improve the chin and neck skin tightness. There is little bleeding and very little trauma to the tissue. No general anesthesia is used and recovery time is rapid and patients are usually comfortable throughout the procedure.

Chin plastic surgery that involves reshaping is also called Mentoplasty. This surgery will reshape the chin and might be recommended to a patient who is having a nose surgery in order to achieve facial proportion. Chin plastic surgery reshaping may involve an implant to reconstruct the chin area. There are risks to the use of an implant and although they are rare you should be informed prior to surgery about the possibilities.

This isn’t a complete list of risks that you may face but only a partial list of potential issues. A facial implant may shift out of alignment and a second operation maybe necessary to replace the position. An infection may happen, as with any surgery, but if it can’t be cleared up the implant may have to be removed and replaced at a later date. Surgery risks also include problems with anesthesia, blood clots, fluid retention and wound infection.

The insertion of a chin implant in chin plastic surgery may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The surgeon will insert the implant in a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The incision may be made inside the mouth along the lower lip or in the skin just under the chin. The chin is usually taped after surgery to minimize swelling and pain. Sutures will be removed in 5-7 days.

Recovery from chin plastic surgery requires little to no special care. The patient experiences discomfort and swelling in the area for several days. It may help to sleep in an elevated position for a week to keep the swelling to a minimum. It will be normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Your surgeon will have specific instructions for you about dental hygiene and eating as well as any other restrictions to your activities.

Remember than in any facial cosmetic surgery you may feel and look better in a short period of time but it may not be best to do certain activities that will result in your face being bumped and jarred for several weeks.

It is important to have a clear understanding of what will happen and why you wish to have chin augmentation. While having the procedure may improve your appearance and increase your self-esteem it won’t solve your problems. Some believe that it will improve your self-confidence while dealing with your specific life issues but as for solving those life issues they are the same before and after the surgery.

The 3 day Facelift aka the Weekend Facelift

As today’s baby boomers march on toward retirement, more and more men and women are searching for the famed fountain of youth. Many think they have found it in the 3 day facelift, also called the weekend facelift or mini facelift.

In past years recovery from cosmetic surgery has been a long and painful process. Today, with the advent of new technology and improved procedures, patients can often reap the benefits of what was once major surgery in a weekend facelift.

Unfortunately, once your 3 day facelift is completed, time continues to march on. Without life style changes such as a proper diet, exercise, restful sleep, stopping smoking and good skincare, the changes you achieved in your 3 day facelift will soon vanish.

There are two distinct types of weekend facelifts. One is the mini facelift, in which surgeons tighten the superficial layers of skin and provide the patient with a more toned appearance. In the second procedure, a quick lift, surgeons also address the underlying connective tissue in the face.

The goals of any 3 day facelift are to increase a more youthful appearance while, at the same time, decreasing potential for surgical risk. Some of those risks include blood clots, infection, poor reaction to the anethesia and noticeable surgical scarring.

The 3 day facelift or weekend facelift will take the surgeon anywhere between one and five hours depending upon the procedure used, whether liposuction is involved and the amount of reconstruction that is desired.

The risk of surgery can be decreased in the hands of a capable and qualified surgeon. It is the responsibility of the patient to find references for the surgeon they chose and to check out the surgeons record to ensure they are getting good care. Because a plastic surgeon hangs out a shingle and says they do plastic surgery doesn’t mean that the surgeon is good at what he does.

Patients are often sent home with prescriptions for pain medication, but due to advanced surgical procedures, many find that over the counter medications are more than adequate. Tylenol, cold compresses and keeping your head elevated should help with the swelling and fluid retention.

Your plastic surgeon should also recommend that you sleep with your head elevated for at least a week to decrease the swelling and bruising in your face. Patients find that cold compresses relieve pain and swelling around the incision line. The 3 day facelift may actually be misnomer since the recovery period can actually vary from patient to patient.

Depending upon the patient’s occupation and ability to recover, they may very well have the procedure completed as an out patient on Friday and be back to work on Monday. Others may find they require several more days to recover adequately.

The 3 day facelift or weekend facelift is cost effective with low pain threshold. However, there are some people who would prefer to first explore non-surgical techniques. There are several non-surgical facelifts that can be used in either men or women who prefer a more non-invasive technique or by those who would like to augment their weekend facelift.

Remember to explore your options and chose both the doctor and the procedure that best meets your needs and your lifestyle.

Cosmetic Surgery Alternatives – Injections

Collagen injections are frequently thought of as an alternative to cosmetic surgery, but there are other types of injections that play an increasing role in enhancing the skin and facial features.

Collagen injections are mostly used to improve the appearance of mild to moderate facial wrinkles. Some people can be allergic to it, so a test is essential. The results may last from 3 months to a year, depending on the person. While collagen injections can make lips appear fuller and smooth out mild wrinkles, it is not suitable for the vertical wrinkles that often appear between the nose and lips.

Another cosmetic wrinkle filler is a gel made from non-animal based hyaluronic acid, under the trade names Restylane and Hylaform. FDA approved in 2003/2004, it is integrated into the skin where it attracts and holds moisture to plump out moderate to severe wrinkles. It mostly lasts six months or longer, but is eventually degraded by the body’s own mechanism, leaving no trace.

A similar procedure is called Liposuction. While this is based on injection, the product injected is the patient’s own fat. Fat is taken from an area that is naturally dense in fat such as the thigh or buttocks, moisture is squeezed out and then it is injected into the area in need of treatment. An allergic reaction is impossible since the product is from the patient’s own body.

Liposuction can be used to re-contour the face, providing definition to the nose and chin, but it’s not suitable for those areas that move frequently. Nor can it be used to enhance the breasts because it makes the diagnoses of cancerous growths difficult. It is possible to have the fat for this procedure harvested during another operation such as a tummy tuck, and frozen for later use.

A procedure called Thermalift is even less invasive. It is used to tighten aging skin or clear acne with no injections or incisions. A form of radio frequency is used to heat the deep layers of the skin, which in turn shrinks the oil glands, improving the appearance of the skin and clearing acne. Cooling sprays are used at the same time to prevent the skin burning.

Botox is a popular treatment these days. It is a series of injections made that actually weaken the small muscles of the face, thus eliminating wrinkles. The effects last from four to six months.

5 Signs You May Need a Cosmetic Surgery Facelift

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your face? Do you have scars, problems with acne, or is your face starting to show the early signs of aging? If so, you may be curious as to what all of your options are. Despite the fact that you do have a number of different treatment options, many men and women in your shoes opt for cosmetic surgery.

So, should you get a cosmetic surgery facelift? Of course, there are a number of factors that you will want to take into consideration when determining so. There are, however, signs that you will want to look for. If these signs, five of which are outlined below, apply to you, a cosmetic surgery facelift may be in your best interest.

1 – You Are Getting Older

It is no secret that our skin changes as we age. Unfortunately, these changes aren’t always pleasant and attractive. Throughout the course of your life you may have developed small scars on your face. These can be taken care of with cosmetic surgery. Although there are a number of reasons why you could undergo a cosmetic surgery facelift, wrinkle treatment is the most common. It is important to remember that just because you are getting older in age; it doesn’t mean that you have to look like it!

2 – You Are Embarrassed

Are you embarrassed by the way that you look? Although every single individual is beautiful in their own way, that may not help to change the way that you feel. Those who undergo cosmetic surgery facelifts often have the sole goal of improving their appearance. Whether you are depressed with the signs of aging, if your face is saggy-like after a large weight loss, or if you just want a change, a cosmetic surgery facelift may be an option for you to seriously consider.

3 – You Have Already Examined Your Other Options

As nice as it is to improve your appearance by undergoing a cosmetic surgery facelift, it is important to know that you do have other options. For example, scars or marks that resemble stretch marks can also be removed with laser surgery, as opposed to actually going under the knife. There are also a large number of over-the-counter products that are designed to help reduce wrinkles and slow down the signs of aging. Although surgery does produce quicker results, especially when compared to over-the-counter products, cosmetic surgery does cost more money.

4 – You Have Had Bad Reactions to Over-the-Counter Products

As it was previously stated, there are alternatives to cosmetic surgery facelifts. One of those alternatives is over-the-counter skincare products. There are products that are designed for scars, acne, and wrinkles. Another sign that a surgical facelift may be in your best interest if you have tried a few of these over-the-counter products without success. In fact, have you had bad reactions to these products? Some consumers end up with even more skin problems, namely a bad case of skin irritation.

5 – You Want Results and You Want Them Now

Of course, when you undergo a surgical facelift, it is important to remember that you do need time to recover. Both your body and your skin in particular will need to rest. When that rest and recovery time has ended, you should be able to see immediate results. Laser surgery often takes multiple sessions and over-the-counter skincare products need to be used for months before results are seen. So, if you want to improve the appearance of your face and see results right now, a surgical cosmetic facelift should be examined.

The five above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that a cosmetic surgery facelift may be in your best interest. As a reminder, there are dangers that are associated with surgical facelifts, including pain and discomfort. Even with the possibility of painful side effects, many men and women, just like you, find that the pros outweigh the cons.