Cosmetic surgery has increased
dramatically in popularity over the past 10 years. Attitudes
have changed as well -- more and more people are turning to
cosmetic surgery. It has undergone significant technological
and conceptual changes in recent years. The conceptual changes
have altered approaches to facial aging, including approaches
to the forehead, eyelids, and lower face. Technological
changes include the increasing use of the laser for facial
cosmetic surgery and minimally invasive techniques for face,
breast, and body-contouring surgery.
While any elective
surgical procedure carries some risk, the advances noted above
have translated into faster patient recovery, fewer deaths,
and improved, more natural appearing results.
What
is minimally invasive surgery?
For many surgical
procedures, the emphasis has shifted from traditional open
surgery to the use of less invasive means. Minimally invasive
surgery is done with the aid of a viewing scope and specially
designed surgical instruments. The scope allows the surgeon to
perform major surgery through several tiny openings without
making a large incision.
These minimally invasive
alternatives usually result in less pain, scarring, and
recovery time for the patient, as well as reduced healthcare
costs. Almost everything from open-heart operations to
vasectomies are now done with minimally invasive methods.
What is minimally invasive plastic
surgery?
Surgeons are discovering more
uses for minimally invasive techniques, including heart
surgery, hysterectomies, and prostate cancer treatment. In
plastic surgery, the term minimally invasive refers to the use
of newer technologies to perform procedures that once required
extensive surgery and recovery time. Today's plastic surgeons
have a variety of tools and techniques available that make
procedures such as face lifts and eyelifts more accessible and
affordable.
Laser surgery
Lasers can now
quickly remove the outer layer of the skin. They tighten the
skin, which leads to smoothening and clearing of brown spots
and large pores. Lasers also can improve wrinkles, fine lines,
forehead creasing, and crow's feet.
Laser skin
resurfacing/facelift
Laser surgery can be used for skin
resurfacing similar to the way chemical peeling and
dermabrasion have been used in the past. When used for skin
resurfacing, the result is equivalent to an intermediate depth
chemical peel with less risk of complications. It is a
particularly good technique in the eyelid, crow's feet, and
forehead region. It also is quite effective in the cheek area.
When the lines around the mouth are particularly deep, the
laser peel may require a second treatment.
Eyelift
surgery
Eyelifts are among the most commonly requested
procedures by both men and women. Drooping of the eyelids can
make a person look tired and/or older.
Lower eyelid
bagging usually is the result of protrusion of the fat that
naturally cushions the eye. This fat is held in place by a
membrane that weakens as we age, allowing the fat to become
visible as a "bag." Lower eyelid bags can be corrected in most
cases without any external incisions or visible scars by using
the laser.
The skin folds of the upper eyelid tend to
increase and droop with age. This problem also can be
corrected with a laser-assisted upper eyelid lift. Laser
eyelift surgery involves little bleeding and bruising, and
usually requires a short recovery period.
"Lunchtime" procedures
Today's plastic
surgeons also provide options for correcting certain signs of
aging, such as crow's feet, frown lines, and forehead
wrinkles, in small steps, without surgery. Because these
procedures are done over a period of short office visits,
these mini-treatments are sometimes referred to as "lunchtime"
procedures.
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