Cosmetic Surgery - Face and Eyes

Without a doubt, one of the most requested cosmetic surgery procedures involves either the face or the eyes. The following is a brief summary of some of the procedures that can be undertaken in this regard.

Blepharoplasty

Procedure

Also known as the "eyelid tightening" procedure, this involves the removal of bagginess around the eyelids, under either general or local anaesthetic. The procedure also involves the tightening of any loose skin in the eyelid area.

This is achieved by an incision in the affected area and removing the excess skin; thus tightening the skin. Part of this procedure will also include removing any fat particles that have naturally stored-up. The fat particles themselves are removed by means of an insertion along natural crease lines giving the surgeon the opportunity to extracted the fat.

Problems

Problems that may be experienced by patients undergoing this procedure include swelling, bruising, bleeding, numbness of the tissue and (in exceptional cases) a certain amount of scarring.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 2 and 4 weeks.

Collagen / Fat Implants

Procedure

Involves implanting fat tissue, by means of an incision, into areas of the face that may be furrowed or sunken ­ for example, the lips, cheeks or chin. The procedure is done under either local or general anaesthetic.

Problems

Strangely, the number one problem with this operative procedure is not medical. It is the fact that most patients are not entirely happy with the new look once they see the effects!

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 1 and 3 weeks.

Ear Surgery

Procedure

Essentially what is being done during this procedure is that the ears are being set closer to the head. This is achieved by a weakening of the ear cartilage in order to be able to bend them into the new (desired) shape. Stitches are inserted into the ear cartilage to hold it in place. The operative procedure is carried out under either local or general anaesthetic.

Problems

The most common problems that may be experienced include swelling, bruising, bleeding, or numbness of the ear.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 1 and 2 weeks.

Facelift

Procedure

Involves the tightening of the skin around the face and neck, under either general or local anaesthetic, by means of a surgical incision along the natural creases in the patient's ear (both front and inner). The incision is then extended behind the ear area (and into the scalp) of the hair.

Problems

A problem area, in that it is difficult to treat, is usually experienced treating skin around the nasal fold of the face. However, the main concern with this operative procedure is that no lasting damage be done to any of the patient's facial nerve-endings.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 1 and 3 weeks.

Forehead Lift

Procedure

This procedure seeks to create an overall tightening of the patient's forehead skin. Under either local or general anaesthetic, an incision is made in the hairline and extended from one side to the other. The skin and underlying muscle in the forehead are then tightened.

Problems

Problems that may be experienced include the usual swelling, bruising, bleeding, numbness of the tissue and (in exceptional cases) a certain amount of scarring. However, as with a facelift, the main concern involved in this operative procedure is that no lasting damage be done to any of the patient's nerve-endings.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 1 and 3 weeks.

Hair Transplant

Procedure

Involves trying to regenerate growth of the hair by means of transplanting new roots to the scalp. This process can be undertaken by means of scalp reduction, tissue expansion, or hair graft.

Problems

The main problem with this operative procedure is that the procedure might not cultivate new growth, and the area treated has become numb or scarred. This results in a decreased probability of a successful graft at a later stage.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually 1 week (although in certain situation it may last as long as 2 weeks).

Nose Surgery

Procedure

Involves the reduction in the overall size and shape of the patient's nose. Under general or local anaesthetic the skin of the patient's nose is separated from the bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage are then reshaped in the desired mould and the skin is then replaced over the top.

Problems

Aside from the usual swelling, bruising, bleeding, numbness of the tissue and (in exceptional cases) a certain amount of scarring, the major concern with this procedure is that the process cannot be completed during one surgery and repeat surgery may be required.

Recovery

Post operative recovery period following this procedure is usually between 1 and 3 weeks.