Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that revolves around the alteration, reconstruction or restoration of various parts of the body. This is generally classified under two main categories- cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Some of the common surgeries performed are
Face Lift
This cosmetic surgery is done to improve/tighten the sagging facial skin and jowls, and loose skin of the neck. A full facelift improves skin and tissue of the lower face, starting from the ears across cheeks down till the jaw line. Facelifts remove the excess fat, tightening the facial muscles and re-arranging skin. Mid- facelift rejuvenates the central part of the face, from the lower lid to upper lip, by enhancing tissue which is damaged due to sun, age and exposure.
The procedure takes around four hours, under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient. There could be temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, tender and/or dry skin. Nerve damage, infection, excessive scarring, change in hairline and bleeding are some risks of facelifts. Facelifts are expected to remain for 5-10 years.
Blepharoplasty
Sagging skin of the eyes, both the upper eyelids, and puffy eyes reveals age. Blepharoplasty tightens the sagging skin and removing the excess fat of the upper and lower eyelids and reduces the puffy bags under the eyes.
The procedure involves local anesthesia or intravenous/general anesthesia. There might be temporary itching and burning of the eyes, but is rare. Patients may find it hard to close their eyes temporarily, and sometimes a second surgery might be required.
Recovery takes about three weeks. The procedure usually lasts for several years and could even be permanent for many people.
Rhinoplasty
Also known as nose surgery, this procedure improves the shape of the nose by increasing or decreasing its size. Surgeons can remove any unsightly hump, change the shape of the tip of the nose, narrow the nostril span or change the angle between the upper lip and the nose.
Rhinoplasty is done also to remove breathing difficulties, when it is performed in combination with surgery of the nasal septum. Temporary swelling, bruising around nose and eyes, nasal stuffiness and a certain amount of bleeding can occur.
This surgery can help people to feel better about their noses which might have been hampering their confidence and self-esteem. The result of this surgery is permanent.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes any unwanted fat in the body. Surgeons usually perform liposuction on the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, knees, thighs, ankles and calves.
Liposuction techniques, super-wet or tumescent are performed after the targeted fat cells are injected with saline solution which contains adrenalin and local anesthetic. There are many techniques which are used to remove fat, including Laser Technique, Traditional technique, and Ultrasonic Technique. In the Ultrasonic and Laser methods, the fat is dissolved before it’s taken out of the body.
Liposuction is a permanent procedure, and takes about 6 months to heal completely.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
This surgery is also known as Breast Enlargement surgery, as it improves the size and look of the breasts. Silicone or saline breasts are implanted over or under chest muscle. The surgery is carried out under local or general anesthesia depending on the patient. It takes approximately two hours.
Side effects could be temporary discomfort, moderate swelling, and bruising. If infection, deflation, scar tissue formation occurs, then the implants might have to be removed. There might be a change in the sensitivity of the breasts’ skin and nipples which is sometimes permanent in certain cases. Scars usually heal between 3 months-two years.
Fat Grafting
This procedure is also known as fat transfer, lipofilling and fat injections. In this process, the surgeon uses the fat from the patient’s own body to fill in the grooves and irregularities in other parts of the body such as sunken cheeks and cheekbones, grooves under the eyes and cheek etc.
This technique is also used for lip enhancement, and to smoothen out all the all kinds of irregularities which can occur due to poorly done liposuction or due to injuries sustained in accidents.
The fat which is used to graft to another part of the body is extracted using liposculpture with 3-5 mm incisions. The fat is taken from the inner thigh or abdomen. The fat is then processed by rinsing, filtering and centrifuging. The pure fat tissue is ready for injection.
The purified tissue is injected into the required area, in minute amounts so that the fat is surrounded by healthy fat tissue which supplies it with nutrients and oxygen.
Tummy Tuck Surgery or Abdominoplasty
This surgery is performed to remove the extra fat and skin from the abdomen, specifically the area between the overhanging skin and the umbilicus. The abdominal wall muscles are also tightened, according to the requirement of the person. The surgeon makes a semi-circle type incision and the length of the cut depends on the amount of fat and skin which has to be removed.
The time taken by the procedure is between 2-4 hours, under general anesthesia. The recovery time is usually 2-4 weeks. Strenuous activity can be resumed after 4-6 weeks. Patients have to wear body girdle for about 4 weeks. Tummy tucks last for many years, till the patient becomes pregnant or gains weight.
