One of the most common questions about liposuction has to do with the recovery that follows the procedure. It is extremely important with any surgery to gather as much information about the entire process from pre-surgery to the recovery stage. Having adequate knowledge of the recovery process prior to the surgery can make the post surgical step much easier to manage.
Liposuction Recovery in the Short-Term
The entire procedure, from the time you enter the surgical facility until you leave, will take anywhere from one to five hours. The exact duration depends on the extent of the liposuction and some other factors. Most procedures of this nature are done with local anesthesia but someone will need to drive you home.
You can expect pain and swelling is expected in the treated area for at least a few days. The treated area will most likely be quite tender and often patients are recommended to wear supportive garments to aid with the recovery process and promote healing. Patients may experience minor pain that may linger for a few weeks after the procedure. If the pain does not subside after a few days consult your surgeon of the pain you are experiencing.
Liposuction Recovery in the Long-Term
The area which received treatment will be swollen only revealing the more slender results of your liposuction procedure after 7-10 days. It may take about two weeks for the final results to show, however, overall soreness may take up to 6 weeks. For most patients it is safe to get back to work after a week of recovery, unless your job involves a lot of physical labor. It may take as long as six months to see the full effects of liposuction become clear.
Simple tips for a more comfortable recovery.
- Stay hydrated to lessen swelling.
- Eat a low-sodium diet.
- Rest until you are sure that you can work.
- Massage the treated area gently in order to maintain good circulation.
In recent years breast lifts have become one of the most popular breast surgeries. In a breast lift procedure, the surgery reshapes and raises sagging breasts and implants can be used combined with breast lift to increase both size and firmness. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) there were over 90,000 breast lift procedures in 2013, in the US. It is important to understand the entire process of any surgery, which is why board certified plastic surgeons from Nashville, TN have provided some simple “Dos and Don’ts” to follow during breast lift recovery.
Dos
- Drinking more water and cutting back on salt intake can reduce post-breast-lift swelling. Light exercise, such as, walking can also help reduce swelling.
- Keep wearing bandages or a surgical bra for several days after your breast lift.
- The dressing from the incision should be kept dry until the incision lines have closed, which means that you will need to take sponge baths for the first few days.
- Walking soon after your breast lift surgery is important because it can decrease the risk of developing a potentially blood clot.
- Women that develop back pain or muscle spasm should use a heating pack on your back and have a friend or family member massage your back.
- Taking your nausea medications one hour before your antibiotics and/or pain medication can lessen the extent of nausea.
- Applying heavy lotion around your breasts and abdominal area will lessen the skin dryness that follows surgery.
Don’ts
- Refrain from sexual intercourse for one or two weeks after the surgery.
- For the first three to five weeks make sure to avoid heavy physical activities, including heavy lifting, bending, reaching over shoulder, and jogging.
- Do not wear bras with underwire for the first few weeks because they often cut into your incisions and could push your breasts to set in a location too high.
- Avoid using public pools, jacuzzi’s, or going into the ocean for at least 4 weeks after surgery.
Contact a board certified plastic surgeon near you for more information about the recovery process for breast lift surgery.
Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery, is an aesthetic procedure that alters the size, position and proportion of the ears. This corrective procedure is popular among adults and children alike. The human ear is fully developed at around 5 years and that is the youngest age that patients are able to get the corrective procedure. Generally this procedure is done for a few reasons:
- if the patient is born with overly large or small ears
- the ears are disproportionate to your head or oddly placed
- your ears stick out prominently
- after an injury that has negatively impacted the shape or positioning of your ears
The results of the procedure vary based on the corrections that are desired, but this procedure commonly improves self-confidence. Last year, over 24,000 Otoplasty procedures were done in the US and 90% of the patients who had ear surgery said the procedure was worth it.
There are different procedures that fall under Otoplasty, depending on the patients needs:
- Ear Pinning is done when the patient has protruding ears that stick out. The incision is made behind the ear to reshape the cartilage and remove excess skin. The incisions are then closed with non-removable stitches or sutures.
- Reconstructive Otoplasty is required for deformities or injuries, such as, burns, lacerations, infected or torn piercings. Reconstructive procedures blends a variety of surgical techniques and to recreate a natural-looking ear. In several cases, cartilage can be removed from the ribs to augment the ear and if a skin graft is necessary, tissue is usually transferred from the upper buttock area.
- Bilateral Otoplasty is required when correction is needed when both pinning and reshaping is required for one or both ears.
- Ear Reduction is done when the size of the ear is larger in proportion to the head. During the procedure, the doctor will remove unwanted cartilage and skin and reshape the ear to create a smaller size.
Most otoplasty procedures are outpatient procedures, with final results visible after 2 weeks. Many patients notice small changes that can occur for up to 12 months after the surgery, with results lasting indefinitely. Contact a local plastic surgeon to find out if this procedure is right for you.
At puberty, most men and women are ashamed to talk about their changing bodies, especially if they start to notice anything that may be abnormal. When it comes to our mental sanity about our bodies, all women have wished they could change something – often times the first thing women want to change is their breasts. Most women think their breasts are either too small, not perky enough, too saggy, the nipples are too big or breasts just look asymmetrical. However, most people are unaware of the fact that some of these traits are symptoms of structural abnormality during the growth of your breasts called tuberous breasts.
When your breasts are developing there is a stymie and the breasts are unable to develop normally and fully. The exact cause of tuberous breasts is unclear, however, a study done on the cells of breasts in men and women with tubular breasts suggest that it is due to a genetic link in collagen deposition. The actual number of tubular breast cases is unknown because every patient does not seek help for correcting this issue, however, 5% of breast augmentation patients come in to treat this condition.
Tuberous breasts most often appear underdeveloped, not simply small, however, the appearance can range from mild to severe. Typical characteristics of tubular breasts are enlarged/ puffy areola, unusually wide spacing between the breasts, minimal breast tissue, sagging, higher than normal breast fold and narrow base at the chest wall.
Most tubular breast patients in New York don’t know that the condition can affect the ability of women to breastfeed because the glands that produce milk are not developed enough to produce breast milk. The psychological effects of this condition can lead to psychosexual problems and abnormal social behavior. If you would like to learn more about tuberous breast surgery contact a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery.
Skin tightening is a concept that is growing in interest as the anti-aging methods become faster, more cost effective and less painful. Non-surgical procedures, like Ultherapy, are seeing a great deal of interest because there is no recovery or downtime, minimal risk of infection or scarring, not to mention the natural-looking results.
The way Ultherapy works is it uses ultrasound technology to gradually strengthen, lift and tone 
loose skin from deep within. It is different from other skin tightening treatments because it is the only treatment that targets the deep foundations below the skin, which is generally only addressed with surgical procedures. Ultherapy is also the only treatment that is able to show imaging, due to its ultrasound technology, to actually see the layers of tissue that are targeted during the procedure and to ensure that the energy is focused precisely where it will be the most effective.
One of the biggest reasons why Ultherapy has gained interest is because it is known to keep your skin tight and maintain a youthful appearance, for up to one year after the procedure. The reason the results last so long is because Ultherapy treatment also has properties that jump start your bodies natural collagen production. Another great advantage of this 60 to 90 minute procedure is that the majority of patients only require one treatment to benefit from the results, which is uncommon for most non-surgical treatments.
The best way to know if you are a good candidate is to speak to a board certified surgeon, however, patients that have the following would be good candidates for Ultherapy:
- Skin that looks, but most importantly feels less firm
- A lower eyebrow line
- Sagging skin on the eyelids
Talk to a dermatologist and see if this treatment is right for you.
In our fast paced world we are all looking for a quick solution to everything, especially when it comes to anti-aging solutions. Now you may have heard people say, “all good things take time”, which is true in most cases, however, there is a way to get a facelift during your lunch break with Injectable treatments. These non-surgical, anti aging treatments have clearly made their mark in the cosmetic industry, totaling 8.5 million treatments, which comes to 89% of all cosmetic procedures conducted last year.
Injectables, also referred to as dermal fillers and muscle relaxers, like BOTOX have earned the title “lunchtime facelift” because treatments can be done in about 15 to 30 minutes. Imagine that, erasing years off your face in the middle of the work day and going back to the office with a fresh new youthful appearance. With no downtime required, getting fuller lips just before a social event or eliminating those lines on your forehead and around your mouth before a big presentation is safer and faster than ever.
Injectable treatments can also:
- Subtly lift drooping facial features like the brows and jowls
- Improve eye bags, dark under eye circles and sunkenness under the eyes
- Lift drooping corners of the mouth
- Resolve bumps on the nose
- Restore volume in cheeks and other sunken areas
Many people have reservations with getting injectable treatments due to negative results, however, 95% of people who have had liquid facelifts done say it’s worth it. In addition to that, there are dermal filler treatments available that are safely reversible if you do not like your results. The experienced CRNs from Beverly Hills agree that when you work with an experienced aesthetician that focuses on providing a natural look you will achieve the results you desire.
Eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty has become popular among patients because this simple surgery completely changed the look of their eyes and subsequently their face. Patients have noticed they look rested, their eyes look bigger and their face looks more youthful.
Along with cosmetic reasons for having eyelid surgery there are also functional reasons for getting eyelid surgery. Some eyelid surgery patients had trouble seeing anything in the upper field of vision. Often times these patients needed to tilt their head up to see properly. If this is something you have experienced, than most likely you are a good candidate for this procedure.
There are two different types of eyelid surgery, upper eyelid and lower eyelid surgery. Upper eyelid surgery is done to correct dropping eyelids and consists of removing the excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper eyelid area. Lower eyelid surgery is done to remove the fat deposits under the lower eyelid. Usually your plastic surgeon will make the incision either on the inside of the lid or on the outside right on the lower eyelash line to remove the excess fat. This surgery is performed with local anesthesia because it is necessary for the patient to be awake during the procedure.
Recovery for an upper eyelid or lower eyelid surgery is quite minimal for a surgery. The most discomfort will be experienced over the first few days and nights with some swelling and bruising, most patients will notice the bruising and swelling will be resolved after 10-14 days. Plastic surgeons in Atlanta say that returning to work and normal activity, as well as application of contacts and makeup will be possible after 2 weeks.
Find out if this procedure is right for you by contacting a board certified plastic surgeon and discussing your goals with them.
Majority of breast augmentation patients would say that they are most apprehensive about undergoing this procedure because of the unknown results. There have been many cases where the expectations of the patient did not meet the results of the breast augmentation procedure. Patients in the past would find the size is too small or shape is too round. However, with the advancement of medical technology, plastic surgeons are now able to create 3D imaging that shows precise and realistic models of post-op expectations.
Having the option to see your breast augmentation results before the procedure is a great advantage for patients and plastic surgeons. Many breast augmentation surgeons in New York have mentioned that it has revolutionized the consultation experience because not only can patients and doctors preview the results together, but the 3D technology allows them to precisely measure the volume and analyze the dimensions of the results. Patients also have the added benefit of visually seeing the difference between silicone, saline, round or anatomical implants and which look best for their body proportions. The process of generating the 3D simulation is quite simple. The surgeon will take several required measurements and 3 digital photographs to create a accurate 3 dimensional image that can be rotated to view at virtually any angle.
Even if the patient and the breast augmentation surgeon think they understand each other, mistakes and miscommunications can happen. However, with the help of this 3D imaging technology, these misunderstandings can be eliminated. To find out more about 3D imaging for breast augmentation, contact a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.
If you are a parent who has a teenager, chances are that your son or daughter has vocalized opinions
This teen gets a nose job that helped her feel more confident.
about their body. On a daily basis teenagers are confronted with the social pressures of fitting in and getting teased about their growing body. These pressures often come from this culture of looking perfect, which is largely because of celebrity idolization and wanting to look just like them.
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is the most common procedure among young adults. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 30,600 teenagers had a Rhinoplasty in the US last year. While many people are apprehensive about a teenager getting any form of plastic surgery, Atlanta surgeons have seen the impact a Rhinoplasty can make in younger patients lives.
When a young patient is seriously interested in a nose job, the most important factor is the maturity of the face. A Rhinoplasty can not be performed on a patient unless his or her nose has fully developed because the surgery could affect its natural growth and ultimately alter the results of the surgery. In most cases, boys achieve full facial growth at 14, and 16 years old for girls.
Maturity of the patient is also important because even with all the benefits of a Rhinoplasty, including a boost in self confidence, this surgery will not drastically change their lives and repair low self esteem. Choosing a board certified surgeon who will discuss these factors with your son or daughter is important because the surgeon can talk to them about having realistic expectations about the results. In addition to that, a Rhinoplasty surgeon can determine whether the young patient has the maturity to have plastic surgery.
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure that corrects defects and deformities of the eyelid. Eyelid surgery is the 3rd most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2013 and has been in the top 5 procedures for over 10 years. Recently, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons came out with a report that states that there were over 215,000 eyelid procedures in 2013, boosting it’s popularity by 6% from 2012. There are two main types of eyelid surgery: upper eyelid and lower eyelid surgery.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery removes fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids. This procedure almost immediately restores a youthful appearance that will accentuate your eyes, in addition to looking more rested and alert. The incision is made along the crease of your upper eyelid, which allows for the scars to be hidden by the crease.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery is done to remove excess skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the lower eyelid. This procedure is a great option for those who have developed unsightly eye bags in the lower eyelid area, restoring more youthful and rested look to your eyes. The incision is made in the interior surface of the lower eyelid, which allows for the scars to be completely hidden.
These two outpatient procedures take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to complete and major swelling and bruising will subside in 1 to 2 weeks. Some of the results of eyelid surgery are permanently corrected, however, our body will continue to age naturally. Protecting your skin from sun damage and exposure will prolong the results of the procedure. The patients who have had this surgery are quite happy with the results, giving eyelid surgery a 80% worth it rating on Realself.com.
