EYELID SURGERY
(Blepharoplasty)
Procedure
Correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. (Upper-eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance if used to correct visual field defects)
Length
1 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia
Usually locally with sedation or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects
Temporary discomfort, tightness of lids, swelling, bruising. Temporary dryness, burning, itching of eyes. Excessive tearing, sensitivity to light for first few weeks.
Risks
Temporary blurred or double vision. Infection, bleeding. Swelling at the corners of the eyelids. Dry eyes. Formation of whiteheads. Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent). Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery). Blindness (extremely rare).
Recovery
Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to 10 days. Contact lenses: two weeks or more. Strenuous activities, alcohol: about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling gone: several weeks.
Duration of Results
Several years. Sometimes permanent.
FACELIFT
(Rhytidectomy)
Procedure
Improving sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping skin. Most often done on men and women over 40.
Length
Several hours.
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient stay.
Side Effects
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing skin is repositioned.
Risks
Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling (usually temporary but may be permanent). Infection, bleeding. Poor healing; excessive scarring. Asymmetry or change in hairline.
Recovery
Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity: 2 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months.
Duration of Results
Usually 5 to 10 years.
FACIAL IMPLANTS
Procedure
Change the basic shape and balance of the face using carefully shaped implants to build up a receding chin, add prominence to cheekbones, or reshape the jawline.
Length
30 minutes to 2 hours.
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient. Occasionally overnight hospital stay.
Side Effects
Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness and/or stiffness. In jaw surgery, inability to open mouth fully for several weeks.
Risks
Shifting or imprecise positioning of implant, or infection around it, requiring a second operation or removal. Excess tightening and hardening of scar tissue around an artificial implant (“capsular contracture”), causing unnatural shape.
Recovery
Back to work: about 1 week. Normal appearance: 2 to 4 weeks. Activity that could jar or bump face: 6 weeks or more.
Duration of Results
Permanent.
FOREHEAD LIFT
(Browlift)
Procedure
Minimize forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding over eyes, furrowed forehead and frown lines by removing excess tissue, altering muscles and tightening the forehead skin. May be done using the traditional technique, with an incision across the top of the head just behind the hairline; or with the use of an endoscope, which requires 3 to 5 short incisions. Most often done on people over 40.
Length
1 to 2 hours.
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects
Temporary swelling, numbness, headaches, bruising. Traditional method: Possible itching and hair loss.
Risks
Injury to facial nerve, causing loss of motion, muscle weakness, or asymmetrical look. Infection. Broad or excessive scarring.
Recovery
Back to work: 7 to 10 days, usually sooner for endoscopic forehead lift. More strenuous activity: several weeks. Full recovery from bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Limit sun exposure for several months.
Duration of Results
Usually 5 to 10 years.
NOSE SURGERY
(Rhinoplasty)
Procedure
Reshape nose by reducing or increasing size, removing hump, changing shape of tip or bridge, narrowing span of nostrils, or changing angle between nose and upper lip. May also relieve some breathing problems. (May be covered by insurance.)
Length
1 to 2 hours or more.
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects
Temporary swelling, bruising around eyes, nose and headaches. Some bleeding and stiffness.
Risks
Infection. Small burst blood vessels resulting in tiny, permanent red spots. Incomplete improvement, requiring additional surgery.
Recovery
Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid hitting nose or sunburn: 8 weeks. Final appearance: 1 year or more.
Duration of Results
Permanent
Breast Enlargement
(Augmentation Mammaplasty)
