Overview

Plastic surgery restores and improves function as well as appearance of the patient; It encompasses surgeries done on many different parts of the body. In many instances it can improve the day-to-day life of the patient and give them the appearance and functionality that they desire;

We cover three main types of plastic surgeries among others.

	Abdominoplasty	Rhinoplasty	Mammoplasty
Average Hospital Stay	2-4 Days	0-1 Days	2-3 Days
Average time off work	3-4 Weeks	1-2 Weeks	3-4 Weeks
Operating time	60-90 min	90-240 min	45-60 min
Sickness	None or very rare	None or very rare	None or very rare
Some Risks or Complications	Swelling and bruising, scarring, hematoma, infection	Swelling and bruising, bleeding, pain or discomfort	Swelling and bruising, scarring, pain or discomfort

	Abdominoplasty	Rhinoplasty	Mammoplasty
Upscale Options	$5,000 – $8,000	$5,000 – $7,000	$6,000 – $9,000
Mid-options	$3,000 – $5,000	$3,500 – $5,000	$4,500 – $6,000
Budget Options	$2,000 – $3,000	$2,000 – $3,500	$3,000 – $4,500

Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck) & Liposuction  

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck is one of the most common plastic surgeries for ladies. It is often accompanied by liposuction (removal of access fat). 

It is commonly done after significant weight loss or pregnancy when the skin around the abdomen is stretched to such a degree that it can not go back to the tightened state with non-surgical interventions;

The surgery aims to achieve the following:

• Removal of Excess Skin and Fat: The surgeon removes loose skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen to reduce bulging and achieve a smoother contour.
• Tightening of Abdominal Muscles (mainly abs): If the abdominal muscles have stretched or weakened (often the case after pregnancy), the surgeon may tighten and stitch them together to provide a firmer abdominal wall and a more sculpted waistline.
• Smoothing and Repositioning of Skin: After removing the excess tissue, the remaining skin is pulled down, smoothed, and repositioned to cover the abdomen more evenly.

A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss but rather a body contouring procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance of the midsection. There are also different types of tummy tucks, such as the mini-tummy tuck (which targets the area below the belly button) and the full tummy tuck (which addresses the entire abdomen).

Recovery can take a few weeks, and patients need to follow post-operative care instructions to allow the tissues to heal and avoid complications. The results are often long-lasting, especially with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.

Procedure: The surgery is done under general anesthesia (meaning you will be completely unconscious during the operation); a horizontal cut is made on the lower abdomen the length of which depends on the extent of correction required; After the lifting of the skin, abdominal muscles are sutured and tightened to achieve a more defined abdominal wall appearance;

Afterwards, the excess skin is removed and depending on the extent of fat deposits in the area, liposuction (removal of fat) might be done as well;

While abdominoplasty affects the belly, liposuction may be performed on other parts of the body too (waist, thighs, hips, upper arms, back, buttocks, neck and chin).

Liposuction is often done with abdominoplasty; The main principle of liposuction is the permanent removal of adipocytes (fat cells). It is performed by inserting a thin tube under the skin to break up and suction out fat deposits. It is an ideal procedure for areas of the body that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. In some cases, liposuction might also improve physical health markers by reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions like insulin resistance as in the case of abdominal obesity.

It’s important to understand that the main goal of abdominoplasty is not to remove excess fat from the abdomen but rather to remove loose skin that has lost its elasticity and the ability to tighten the back and abdominal muscles (mainly abs); fat removal is performed by combining abdominoplasty with liposuction.

It is also important to note that liposuction only removes fat from specific body parts. It is not intended for overall weight loss. To reduce weight, patients need to undergo diets, and/or bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery alters the digestion system and provides a long-term solution to obesity. You can find out more about bariatric surgeries here.

Benefits of abdominoplasty: After surgery, patients have significantly flatter stomachs and no loose skin on the belly; This procedure improves the general self-esteem of the patients and helps them feel more confident;

Post-surgery considerations: Abdominoplasty yields permanent results, but the maintenance of those results largly depends on the patient’s lifestyle; The procedure is not a prevention for weight gain, the improved look of the abdomen will only stay in place if patient adheres to a healthy life-style and avoids significant weight changes;

It’s important to consult your plastic surgeon before deciding to get the procedure done since it is not recommended if your weight loss is not finished and you expect weight alterations in the near future; Planning for pregnancy can also alter the final decision of the surgeon to approving you for surgery; Whenyou get pregnant your muscles and skin can stretch as a natural process of pregnancy and this in itself will affect the outcome and permanence of the results of abdominoplasty.

Keep in mind that a scar may be visible after surgery, but with advancements in surgical techniques and equipment, surgeons will try to make it as small and as unnoticeable as possible;

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

Rhinoplasty, more commonly referred to as “nose job” is one of the most frequent plastic surgeries performed on both men and women; Rhinoplasty can be done for aesthetic purposes – cosmetic rhinoplasty – or for medical reasons – reconstructive rhinoplasty;

These procedures alter the shape of the nose and resolve health problems that are caused by the anatomy of the nose; As a result patients are more satisfied with their appearance and/or no longer have breathing problems. 

Procedure: Rhinoplasty is done under either general (meaning you will be completley uncoscious during the operation) or local anesthesia (only the area being operated on is numb);

There are two types of rhinoplasty:

1. Closed: In closed the incisions are made inside the nostrils and it is used when only minor alterations to the nose are needed and desired;
2. Open: Open rhinoplasty is performed in more complex procedures. Here a small incision is made on the tissue between the nostrils to allow for better access;

With both procedures the bony part of the nose is altered. Cartilage (the flexible firm tissue in the front of your nose) may be altered and reshaped as well; Finally the nasal skin is redraped over the new shape of the nose and incisions are closed;

Benefits of the surgery: Rhinoplasty improves both the aesthetic and functional component of the nose; Patients have enhanced facial harmony and are more confident and content as a result; If done for medical reasons it also improves breathing, corrects birth defects or defects as a result of an injury; It can also give the nose it’s original shape after age-related alterations have taken place – it can reverse the naturally occurring aging related changes and give the patient a more youthful appearance;

Before surgery : Rhinoplasty is an elective procedure; consultation with a plastic surgeon will give you a better idea of what type of nose surgery you need and desire and what changes are possible given the anatomy of your nose. Your other facial features, the skin on your nose and your desired nose shape are considered in planning the procedure.

After Surgery: After the procedure, nose is splinted and packed; This protects the new shape of the nose and reduces the swelling; Internal bandages are usually left in place for 1-7 days; Little bleeding and drainage of mucus is normal; Bed rest while keeping the head above the chest helps with these symptoms;

Recovery can take a few weeks when the swelling gradually subsides;

After surgery, you will be given instructions of care for the post-surgery period. This includes avoiding intense physical activity, seething and coughing with a closed mouth avoiding overly expressive facial expressions, using glasses, etc.;

Mammoplasty

Breast Augmentation

Procedure: Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) uses implants to enhance the shape and size of the breast; This is achieved through one of these ways:

1. Implants
2. Fat tissue taken from another body part

The incision is made either along the breast crease, around the areola, or in the armpit and a type of implant is placed either above or below the pectoral muscle (known as “pecs” or a “chest muscle”). Finally the incision is closed with sutures;

Benefits of the surgery: Breast augmentation offers both physical, as well as emotional benefits. Enhancing the size, shape, and balance of the breasts helps create a more proportional and symmetrical appearance. Patients feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies as a result of the procedure. Reconstructive mammoplasty restores breast volume after weight loss, pregnancy, aging and mastectomy; This procedure helps patients regain the sense of normality and self-confidence; Overall, the quality of life improves after mammoplasty;

Before surgery: Consultation with a plastic surgeon is of utmost importance before deciding to do the procedure. The surgeon will:

1. Assess the need for the surgery;
2. Understand your needs and desired outcomes;
3. Discuss different techniques that can be used and how the results will look;
4. Guide you in regards to care after the surgery;

After Surgery: Most patients can go home the same day after surgery; Swelling, bruising and some degree of discomfort is expected; This symptoms can last for several weeks but can be reduced with proper care after the surgery like using a surgical bra or a compression garment; Intense physical activity should be avoided to minimize the risk of trauma; With proper post surgical care the breast will assume their final shape and the swelling will be completely gone in several months;