What to Consider if You’re
Thinking About Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgeries
are more popular than ever. Some
of the most popular are face-lifts,
nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, breast
augmentation/enhancement, tummy
tucks, and liposuction to remove fat.
Doctors who perform these
procedures can improve the outward
signs of aging and enhance or restore
features. They also can correct birth
defects and improve the appearance of
scars from burns, wounds, or cancer
tumor removal.
If you are thinking about plastic surgery, it’s good to get a little background information first. Check out the library or go online to get some basic information about your options. Choose reliable sources, like government sites or medical associations. Then you’ll be ready for the next step—finding the right doctor.
Whether to choose cosmetic surgery is obviously a matter of personal opinion, since in all but the most serious reconstruction surgeries they are elective procedures.
Many welcome the wisdom that comes with aging and are comfortable viewing wrinkles as signs of a life well lived. But to others, laugh lines and crow’s-feet are, well, nothing to smile about. If this sounds like you, there’s much you can do. Once considered a luxury only for the rich, cosmetic surgery has become more mainstream.
Which procedure is right for you? It largely depends on your goals. Following are just two options.
Erase Minor Lines and Blemishes Without Surgery
If you’d like a noninvasive way to remove fine wrinkles and scars and even out your skin coloring, skin resurfacing may be the ideal choice. Skin resurfacing also can provide better skin tone and texture. In many cases, these effects can make you look 20 years younger—for as long as a decade. Types of skin resurfacing include:- Chemical peels, in which solutions are used to remove skin
- Dermabrasion, which involves sanding away the skin with brushes
- Laser resurfacing, which uses light beams to remove tissue
- VBeam (nonablation laser) with no "down" time
- Skin treatments with facials and home care treatment plans
Your skin may need several weeks to recover from resurfacing, but this depends on which procedure you choose. Complications arise in only a few cases and may include scarring and infection. Most people are excellent candidates for skin resurfacing. However, your doctor may not advise resurfacing if you have very sensitive skin.
Facts About Face-lift Surgery
A face-lift is the best way to treat deep wrinkles and severely drooping skin in the cheeks and neck. It can help your face look younger and more vibrant for up to 10 years. And a face-lift often has a pleasant side effect: It can boost your self-confidence.Face-lifts are safe for almost anyone. While swelling and bruising can last up to six weeks after the operation with traditional surgical techniques, newer procedures can mean a far shorter recovery time (see companion article on the other side).
Again, complications are rare. These can be reviewed during your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.
