Answers by Dr. Celeste Nagy MD
A: "facelift", in general, is a procedure that repositions the tissues of the lower face that have descended over time into a "lifted" or more vertical position. This is also a misnomer for the procedure because a neck lift is usually performed at the same time. Therefore, the laxity of the cheeks, lower third of the face, and neck are all lifted simultaneously. There are many different techniques when it comes to performing the surgery. However, incisions are usually made around the temporal hair tuft, around the ear, behind the ear, and under the chin. Next, the layer of the face and neck called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system or "SMAS" is elevated and excess skin is trimmed in order to reposition facial and neck laxity in a vertical direction.
A: There is not exactly a right "age" for a facelift and neck lift. A good candidate is someone who has begun to develop jowling along the jawline and laxity of the neck that wants a more restorative and rejuvenated appearance. A good candidate is also someone who is generally healthy and non-smoker.
A: There are multiple different techniques for facelifts which completely depend on your age and anatomy. Here is a general overview:
A: Sutures remain in place for 7 days. Expect swelling and bruising for about 2 weeks. In general, patients can return to work and social activities after 2 weeks. However, it can take 3 months - 1 year to get "final" results. Recommend undergoing this procedure at least 3 months before any major event like a wedding.
A: The pain risks for the procedure are prolonged swelling, bruising, fluid collection (seroma or hematoma), prolonged numbness, asymmetry, poor scar outcome, and, with deep plane facelifts, facial paresis (temporary) or paralysis. These are very uncommon with well-trained and skilled facial plastic surgeons. However, it is important to understand the risks.
A: That is dependent on multiple factors including the technique used, age of the patient, health of the patient, and the quality of their soft tissues and skin. In general, the results should last 10+ years. However, a facelift does not stop the aging process. Though your face and neck will always look better than it would have before, you will still develop laxity over time. It is important to maintain your results with good skin care and non-surgical procedures.
A: In the right hands no! A well-trained and skilled facial plastic surgeon will employ techniques to give you a rejuvenative result that looks natural and still like you. Additionally, scars generally heal imperceptibility when done correctly.
A: That depends on where the surgeon operates (LA is more expensive than Atlanta), years of experience, degree of difficulty of the procedure, etc. The cost also includes the surgeon fees, cost of the operating room, and anesthesia fees. In general, facelift and necklift procedures can range from $10,000 - $50,000+ depending on the above factors.
A: Absolutely! It is very common to combine this procedure with other procedures because the entire face goes through the aging process. Additionally, you heal at one time rather than having multiple procedures at different times. Full facial rejuvenation can include browlift, blepharoplasty or eyelid lift, facial fat grafting, lip lift, and laser skin resurfacing with facelift and necklift. Sometimes patients also want to undergo rhinoplasty at the same time.
Answers by Dr. Mark Beaty MD
A: A lip lift is a procedure to elevate the upper lip by shortening the white lip and or directly removing skin from the corners of the lip. There are several techniques which can be used, the most common being the subnasal (sometimes called the "bullhorn" or "seagull" lift) approach. While seemingly a simple procedure, getting consistently excellent results from lip lifting requires precision evaluation and an artistic eye. The skin to be removed is carefully measured and the incision designed so that the closure follows the contour of the bottom of the nose. Index marks to line up the closure are made and the incision created. The supportive tissue beneath the skin is identified, much as it is in a facelift and also incised to enter a dissection plane beneath. This tissue is elevated and then lifted and anchored to shorten the white lip and rotate the lip outward, creating more volume. Meticulous skin closure is performed to minimize any visible evidence of incision. The corner lip lift uses similar concepts along the border of the lip and the corner of the mouth to help turn up a sagging lateral lip.
A: Good candidates for a lip lift have experienced elongation of the white lip which is very common with aging. This also causes the red lip to turn inward, creating the illusion of more volume loss than there actually is. The lip lift procedure corrects both of these problems.
A: There will be swelling and bruising after your lip lift procedure which usually resolves in 5-7 days. The sutures for the skin closure will need to be removed and this generally occurs at one week after surgery. While there may be some moderate discomfort for the first few days after the procedure most patients do not find this to be a difficult recovery.
A: When the incision is placed correctly and meticulously closed, the scar becomes virtually invisible. The incision is camouflaged by the lower border of the nose and resolves to a very thin line. The incision usually remains slightly pink for about 3 months, gradually fading to your normal skin color. This is easily covered with makeup, which may be used once the sutures are removed.
A: Lip lift results are quite long-lasting and while gradual elongation of the lip can occur with further aging, most patients will enjoy 10-15 years of lifted appearance.
A: Any surgery may have complications including bleeding, scarring or infection. Lip lift has a very low risk of this type of complication. It is important to choose a surgeon with extensive experience with this operation since is requires great precision of tissue removal and elevation as well as meticulous skin closure to give natural-appearing and symmetrical results with no visible scarring.
A: Lip lifts can be combined with other procedures and are frequently performed concurrently on patients seeking other facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift, browlift and eyelid surgery. The procedure is also frequently performed as a stand alone operation and for most patients can be done in the office under local anesthesia.
A: The cost of a lip lift will vary depending on the experience level and expertise of your surgeon as well as type of anesthesia required and whether it will be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Expect the lip lift to cost several thousand dollars for a good surgeon
Answers by Dr. Omar Beidas MD
A: A thigh lift - specifically referring to a lift - involves removing skin through a horizontal (parallel to the floor) incision and using the scar to "lift" the skin upwards. This is different from a thigh reduction which can tighten the thigh but does not lift it by using a vertical (perpendicular to the floor) incision. A thigh lift is best for someone who only has loose skin in the upper third of the thigh.
A: The best candidate is someone with very little skin excess and only in the top third of the thigh.
A: The scar can either be a 270-type scar which starts at the lower buttock crease on the outside and extends into the groin and comes up around the labia. It can also be entirely circumferential (360 around the upper thigh).
A: This is one of the more difficult surgeries to recover from, generally we recommend 3 weeks off work (if work does not involve heavy lifting) and 6 weeks away from the gym and any strenuous activity.
A: Labial spreading, scar migration/descent, scar widening, lymphedema, poor wound healing.
A: At least a decade, barring any major fluctuations in weight.
A: Yes, depending on your overall health.
A: I suggest - unless this is specific to 1 surgeon - not including this question. The range as we have learned from facelifts could be vast. I can give you what I think it could be but not sure it makes sense for YBS. Let me know if you would like what's a "reasonable" range.
Answers by Dr. Omar Beidas MD
A: A tummy tuck is the removal of skin from the lower portion of the abdomen combined with muscle tightening to bring the abdominal muscles back towards the midline (center) of the body. These muscles are often stretched/moved away from the center due to pregnancies or weight gain/loss and as a result lose some of their strength. In most cases, a tummy tuck is combined with liposuction for improved contouring.
A: Any woman who has loose skin of the lower abdomen, is at her goal or ideal weight and maintained for at least 6 months, and does not plan to have children in the immediate future.
A:
A: Generally two weeks before a patient can return to regular daily activities. 6 weeks before return to the gym or strenuous activity.
A: Poor wound healing, wounds of the central abdomen, contour irregularities, hematoma (internal bleeding or bleeding under the skin), venous thromboembolism (general term for clots that can form inside the veins of the body)
A: Mostly lifelong without any major changes in weight or future pregnancies.
A: Yes, depending on your overall health.
A: I'll give a range here to be safe - generally $10,000-20,000.
Answers by Dr. Brian Gawley MD
A: A breast lift is a cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery that tightens loose and sagging skin of the breast and simultaneously lifts, repositions and reshapes the nipple-areola complex. A breast augmentation is a procedure typically where a breast implant is placed either over or under the pectoralis muscle to add volume and size to the breast. While breast augmentation will lift as well as add volume, it differs from a breast lift in that a breast lift will require external incisions to tighten and tailor the breast skin. Often a breast lift is combined with breast augmentation to get a synergistic result.
A: Breast droop or tosis is graded based on the amount of skin laxity or sag as well as the position of the nipple below the breast crease. Patients who have a significant amount of loose skin, or nipple position below the breast crease, or nipple position in the lower third of the breast are oftentimes best treated with a breast lift versus and implant alone. In some patients we can achieve a more lifted look with a breast implant alone, however it oftentimes requires a larger implant than a patient desires or may lead to early tissue sag.
A: Breast lift procedures vary depending on the amount of droopiness or skin sag that a patient has. There is essentially a continuum of types of lifts with the associated scars. This begins with a concentric breast lift or mastopexy where the loose skin is removed around the circumference of the areola. As a patient has more skin sag they often will need the incision around the areolar, as well as a vertical incision. As skin droop progresses and there is more laxity a full scar breast lift or an inverted T pattern with incisions around the NAC, vertical, and in the inframammary crease are oftentimes necessary.
A: In well chosen patients and when performed by appropriately trained board certified plastic surgeons, the risks and complications of breast lift surgery are very uncommon and rare. Still risks include wound healing issues, scarring, areola loss and asymmetry which may require revisional surgery.
A: This can vary from patient to patient depending on their breast size and the amount of skin laxity. Overall a patient can expect their results to last at least 5 to 10 years or more in my opinion.
A: Breast augmentation and breast lift are often combined and can work synergistically to give the optimal result in the appropriate patient. Breast implants serve the function of improving not only a patients volume and cup size but also help lift and tighten sagging tissues. In many patients the combination of an implant to lift and add volume and an overlying breast lift to tighten and reposition the larger/sagging nipple is the best combination to offer the best shape and longevity of result.
A: The cost of a breast lift or mastopexy can vary from surgeon to surgeon and practice to practice. Oftentimes a breast lift is combined with implants as well. Cost of this type of surgery inclusive of anesthesiologist, operating room, implants can range widely between 10,000 to over $20,000 depending on the specific clinical situation and practice.
Answers by Dr. Brian Gawley MD
A: Breast implants are medical devices which help to restore or enhance volume to the breast. Depending on the clinical situation and the discussion between surgeon and patient, breast implants can be inserted through several incision options including inframammary, lower areola, and armpit and are sometimes placed under the pectoralis muscle or over the pectoralis muscle depending on the clinical situation.
A: Patients who are of good health and have healthy breast tissue to allow the insertion of a breast implant are considered ideal candidates. Appropriate candidates have either lost breast volume through the aging process, genetics or childbirth.
A: Today we essentially have to basic breast implant options for most patients--saline and silicone. Although some surgeons still utilize textured implants, the majority of plastic surgeons today offer and utilize smooth round saline or silicone implants as the best options. Among the category of smooth round saline and silicone implants there are different sizes and projection to help satisfy aesthetic desires as well as different body types and soft tissue characteristics. Both saline and silicone implants are made of a silicone shell and either filled internally with saline in the case of saline breast implants or a cohesive or gummy bear internal portion of a silicone implant. Both smooth round saline and silicone implants are a safe FDA cleared medical device that offers excellent results in the majority of patients when placed by and in collaboration with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation surgery.
A: In most patients breast implant surgery is a short one to two hour outpatient procedure typically done under sedation or a general anesthetic. The recovery time is typically three to five days off of non heavy lifting type work and two to three weeks athletic recovery. In most practices a total recovery is approximately 6 weeks with some restrictions.
A: Wild breast implant surgery is a very common and safe medical procedure there are some common risks which can include but are not limited to infection, asymmetry, and the development of scar tissue or capsular contracture around the implant requiring revisional surgery.
A: As a general rule breast implants are not meant to be a lifetime device. Still breast implants have a very low rupture or malfunction rate typically in the range of .5% per year or less. Most often patients have secondary surgery after having breast implants not because of implant malfunction but because of normal soft tissue changes that occur with age.
A: Breast implant surgery is often combined with other procedures. The combination of breast augmentation or enhancement with other surgeries such as tummy tuck, liposuction, etcetera is up to the plastic surgeon and patient as they discuss safety and recovery combined with aesthetic desires and outcomes.
A: Breast implant surgery costs can vary from practice to practice and typically include surgeons fees, implant fees, anesthesia fees and operating room fees. A breast augmentation with silicone implants can vary widely from practice to practice but can average anywhere from $7500 to $15,000 depending on surgeon, region of the country as well as breast implant type and anesthesia the type.
Answers by Dr. Dan Straka MD
A: Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves removal of excess skin, muscle, and/or fat from the upper eyelids or lower eyelids. In the upper eyelids is addresses hooded skin or fullness above the eyes. In the lower eyelids it addresses prominent pockets of fat contributing to dark circles or excess skin and wrinkles under the eyes.
A: Any patient with excess skin or fat above the eyes that is either aesthetically unpleasing or functionally disruptive may be a candidate for upper blepharoplasty surgery. Patient’s with large bags under the eyes, dark circles, and excess skin and wrinkles may be a candidate for lower blepharoplasty.
A: Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that is done through an external eyelid incision to remove excess skin, muscles, and/or fat. In the lower eyelids there are many techniques to address puffy under eye bags. An internal (transconjunctival) or external (transcutaneous) incision can be made in the lower eyelid to access the puffy under eye bags. Some techniques involve removing excess fat, some involve repositioning fat, and others are a combination of the two. In addition, some techniques will involve removal of excess skin and others might involve tightening of the eyelid tendons (canthus).
A: Recovery will vary from patient to patient depending on a number of factors including age, skin quality and texture, surgical technique, overall general health, and use of concurrent blood thinners. Bruising will last anywhere from 1-3 weeks after blepharoplasty surgery. Swelling will last anywhere from 3-6 weeks for most patients, but sometimes even longer in others. Pain is not a major complaints after surgery although some will experience mild to moderate discomfort. Most patients experience a week or so of mild blurred vision. It is important that patients avoid heavy lifting or bending below the waist for at least one week after surgery.
A: The risks of surgery include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, scar formation, dryness of the eyes, asymmetry, cosmetic dissatisfaction, numbness or tingling in the area, vision loss, double vision, or even blindness.
A: The results of surgery will typically last anywhere from 10-15 years for most patients. However, this will vary somewhat from person to person depending on factors such as concurrent heavy eyebrows, sun damage, baseline anatomical differences, and smoking status.
A: Blepharoplasty can be combined with almost any other facial procedure. Most commonly it is performed with concurrent brow lift, facelift surgery, laser resurfacing or fat transfer.
A: Cost for blepharoplasty is highly variable and depends on many factors such as geographic region, surgeon level of experience and demand, any adjunctive procedures such as laser resurfacing or fat transfer, and surgical technique. Most upper blepharoplasty surgeries will range from $2500-$5000 total, and lower blepharoplasty will range from $3,500-$9,000 total. These do not include additional fees for the operating room or anesthesiologist.
Answers by Dr. Ned Snyder IV MD
A: A Brazilian Butt Lift is a procedure to augment the buttocks with your own fat. This is performed by harvesting the fat with liposuction from one part of your body and injecting it into your buttock.
A: To be a good candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift you need to have donor fat to harvest and you need to want to have a larger, more defined buttock.
A: The recovery process following a Brazilian Butt Lift can be difficult because you will be unable to sit on your buttocks for a number of weeks following the procedure.
A: Yes, the Brazilian Butt Lift is considered a procedure with a high complication rate that can include death.
A: The fat that is injected in a Brazilian Butt Lift is considered a permanent change; however the results may not be permanent. As your body ages this will impact your results over time.
A: A Brazilian Butt Lift can be combined with some other procedures, but it is limited because the recovery limits your ability to sit and might impact your ability to heal or recover from another procedure.
A: The price of a Brazilian Butt Lift in the United States ranges from $6,000 to $10,000.
Answers by Dr. Celeste Nagy MD
A: Profound is a device that uses microneedles inserted into the dermis and emits radiofrequency energy as a non-surgical manner to treat wrinkles and cellulite as well as promote skin tightening and collagen formation.
A: The Profound device emits radiofrequency energy via microneedles to the dermis to stimulate your body to naturally reproduce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in order to revitalize the skin and build new, healthy tissue. The Profound treatment can stimulate your body’s own wound-healing response to reduce the signs of aging.
A: You can expect swelling and bruising for 3-7 days. Therefore, though this is minimally invasive, there is still downtime associated with the treatment.
A: In general, it takes at least 3 months to see the tightening and smoothing effect as the skin remodels. It can take up to 6 months to get "final" results.
A: We use local anesthesia that is injected as microdroplets into the face, neck, and/or body depending on where the treatment is being done. Though there is some initial discomfort with the injections, the local anesthesia makes you completely numb so the treatment is painless.
A: The main cons of Profound RF is to expect it to deliver the same results as surgery. There is no technology device that is equivalent to surgery. Therefore, the person needs to be the right candidate to get reasonable results when it comes to reducing wrinkles, skin tightening, and cellulite treatment.
A: Absolutely! I often combine this treatment with injectables such as Botox and fillers, laser resurfacing, and even surgery. For example, it can be combined with under the chin liposuction to help with skin tightening after the procedure.
A: A good candidate for dermal Profound is someone with mild to moderate wrinkles and laxity of the face and neck. For the body, it is someone with mild cellulite and laxity of the thighs. Patients with good elasticity of the skin are considered good candidates so that their skin can remodel properly to tighten.
A: Bruising and swelling can be expected for 3-7 days. Maximal results will take 3-6 months.
A: That depends on many factors including your age, genetics, and skin quality. In general, results last a year or more, but it does not stop the aging process.
A: Profound can work on skin laxity or crepiness of the abdomen, especially after liposuction to tighten the skin.
A: Typically at 3-6 months
A: I often treat the submental neck skin, but I do not personally treat the rest of the neck and decolletage with Profound as the needles penetrate too deep for the thin skin in these areas. I usually use a different form of radiofrequency microneedling called Pixel8 or Morpheus8.
