Cosmetic surgery can change your appearance and improve self-esteem, but it’s essential to have realistic expectations. You should also follow your provider’s instructions to reduce the risk of complications. Liposuction is a popular procedure that sculpts your body by sucking out localized fat deposits. Breast augmentation is another popular choice but isn’t meant to replace regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Abdominoplasty
A more extensive procedure than liposuction, abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck), is used to contour the abdominal area further. In addition to removing excess fat, it can repair abdomen muscles that may have loosened or stretched during pregnancy or weight loss. This Bellevue plastic surgery procedure is a good choice for people close to their ideal body weight but have loose or excess skin and muscle that does not respond to diet or exercise. The surgeon makes a long incision, running from hipbone to hip, and removes or relocates the belly button as needed. Patients should anticipate weeks of recovery as it is a surgical procedure. They will be tired, swollen, and sore during this time. Incision scars can take up to a year to fade.
Liposuction
A cosmetic procedure called liposuction, or just lipo, removes extra fat from particular body parts. It’s most frequently done on both sexes’ thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen. It can also shape the arms, neck, or breasts. This surgery permanently removes fat cells and alters body shape. However, it is not a weight loss solution, and the remaining fat cells can grow more prominent if you gain too much weight. The procedure is usually done in a doctor’s office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital. Patients may be given compression garments that reduce swelling and help the skin adjust to the body’s new contours. It is essential to avoid sagging or unevenness in the treated area.
Facelift
A facelift, called rhytidectomy, tightens the skin around the cheeks and neck to reduce lines and wrinkles. It can also help lift jowls and refine the jawline. It is a more extensive procedure than a mini facelift and requires general anesthesia. A typical surgical facelift lasts two to six hours, requiring a day or more to recover. Side effects may include bruising and swelling, loss of facial sensitivity, and numbness. A surgical facelift is ideal for patients with significant skin sagging. It can also be paired with other cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures to enhance results. However, realistic expectations and understanding that a facelift won’t stop aging are essential. It can also be expensive.
Breast Lift
Mastopexy, the medical word for a breast lift, is used to treat naturally aging breasts or sagging, flattened breasts caused by significant weight loss or first pregnancies. It can restore firm, toned breasts that fit more comfortably into form-fitting clothing such as tops, dresses, and swimwear. A cosmetic surgeon performs this procedure as an outpatient, with general or local anesthesia + intravenous sedation. The surgeon repositions, trims, and removes extra skin from the breast area for a more youthful appearance. If your nipple or areola is below the inframammary fold, the crease beneath your breast, you might be a good candidate for a breast lift. You are also likely to be a good candidate if you have a stable weight, do not plan to get pregnant again, and don’t smoke.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, reduces excess skin around the eyes to give them a more refreshed appearance. Patients who have lost peripheral vision due to aging or genetics can also benefit. Your doctor will mark your eyelids’ natural lines and creases, then use fine sutures to close the incisions, minimizing scar visibility. They may also redistribute fat in lower eyelids to eliminate puffiness and bulges. You will stay in the recovery room following your procedure and then go home. It would help if someone stayed with you for a few days while your eyelids heal. During this period, you may experience blurred vision from the ointment you’re using to lubricate your eyes, watery eyes, light sensitivity, or double vision. Swelling and bruising usually subside within a week or so.