Guide to Cosmetic Enhancement Procedures

Body

Body Lift

Procedure: The body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy or lower body lift, improves the appearance of the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. The operation is performed typically to remove excess skin and fat following massive weight loss. It can also be performed to fight the effects of aging and childbearing including excess skin, cellulite and sagging fatty tissue. Some patients also select body lift surgeries to improve the results of gastric bypass, panniculectomy or liposuction.

Although the steps of the body lift procedure differ depending on the needs of the patient, doctors often perform surgery on the stomach first removing excess skin from the belly button to the pubic area, then tightening the abdominal wall muscle. This is the area that is most often loosened by excessive weight loss.

To treat the abdomen, a horizontal incision is made along the pubic area. Excess skin and usually fat is then removed from the pubic bone to the belly button. Often the abdominal wall muscles are then tightened. The remaining skin and fat is pulled down from above the belly button area, where it is sutured in position at the pubic area. The procedure is repeated in the buttocks and thigh areas.

Expected Results: This procedure elevates the buttocks and restores outer thigh skin tension and firmness.

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Liposuction

Procedure: Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. 

Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out.

The liposuction has been developed and refined and there have been several variations introduced.

Expected Results: Used more for body reshaping than bulk reduction, liposuction can remove disproportionate pockets of fat to create a more balanced form.

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Breasts

Breast Augmentation

Procedure: Generally done as a day procedure under sedation or general anaesthetic. Several techniques are used with the incision being placed under the breast fold, around the nipple or in the armpit. The implant, either saline or silicone, round or teardrop in shape, is placed above or below the muscle. The procedure is individualized for each woman.

Expected Results: Larger, more shapely breasts.

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Breast Reduction

Procedure: The two popular procedures for breast reduction are the peri-areola mastopexy with reduction and the inverted-T pattern. The excess breast tissue is excised and the nipple is repositioned higher producing a lift/reduction.

Expected Results: Smaller breasts with a more pleasing shape and position.

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Face

Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

Procedure: Rejuvenates the face by tightening the skin and sometimes muscles of the face, chin and neck. Incisions are made behind the hairline, and around the ear. Excess facial fat is removed and muscles are tightened.

Expected Results: A more toned, smooth appearance which lasts usually seven to ten years.

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Dermal Fillers

Procedure: There are a number of dermal fillers currently available that address a number of facial indications such as fine to deep wrinkles, furrows, scars, nasolabial folds, lip enhancement, cheek or chin contours and much more. Ranging from temporary fillers such as Restylane and Esthelis; implants like SoftForm; to long-term fillers such as Aquamid.

Expected Results: Dermal fillers will add volume to the problem area/s you wish to address. Results are immediate and patients usually experience minimal downtime.

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Laser Resurfacing

Procedure: Laser resurfacing is designed to eliminate scarring, wrinkling and pigmentation by removing damaged skin whilst preserving the skin's underlying tissue. It is common to have the whole face lased, or anatomical sections, for example the top lip, the cheeks, under the eyes, etc.

Expected Results: The laser is passed over the top layer of skin emitting short intense pulses of light, to improve the overall texture and colour of the skin.

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Brow Lift

Procedure: The brow lift is a key rejuvenation procedure that affects not only the brow itself but also the entire upper third of the face. It also rejuvenates the upper eye area, reducing heaviness and drooping over the upper eyelid and at the outer edges of the eye.

In endoscopic browlift, a small telescope is inserted through minute incisions behind the forehead hairline and used to guide the surgeon in lifting the tissues of the forehead or brow. At the same time, the small muscles of the forehead responsible for causing frown lines are weakened so these lines are smoothed or disappear.

Expected Results: The brow lift has a profound effect on the entire face, restoring a look of freshness and a more youthful expression.

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Cheek and Chin Implants

Procedure: Genetics, time and environmental factors cause our faces to slowly age as fat in the cheeks diminishes, with the result that the cheek area appears to droop or sag towards the mouth.

Cheek implant surgery alone or in combination with a facelift or browlift may reverse this trend and create a fresh and toned look. The incisions for cheek implants are made through the hairline or lower eyelids.

Chin implant surgery is a procedure used to reshape the chin and is often recommended to a patient having nose surgery in order to achieve facial proportion. The incision for a chin implant is usually hidden in the mouth.

Expected Results: Corrects sunken cheeks or receding chin and improves facial balance, creating a fresh and toned look.

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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Procedure: Eyelid surgery is a procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids.

Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won't remove crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

The incision for an upper blepharoplasty is in the lid crease. It is made with either a scalpel or Carbon Dioxide laser that seals blood vessels as it cuts. Skin, muscle and fat are removed. The eyelids should function normally after surgery. Incision for lower eyelid surgery can be made either inside the eyelid (eliminating external scars) or, if there is a lot of excess skin, incision underneath the eyelashes may be required.

Expected Results: Corrects dropping eyelids or puffy bags under the eyes as well as improving vision.

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Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Procedure: Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems.

There are two main techniques: open (incisions at the base of the nose) and closed (incisions inside nose) that can change the size of the nose, remove a lump, narrow the nostrils, change the angle and/or refine the tip.

Expected Results: Reshapes the nose to balance with other facial features.

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Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Procedure: Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Incisions are made behind the ear to remove a think strip of skin. The middle cartilage layer of the ear is folded back and secured in position.

Expected Results: Creating a fold in the cartilage pins back the ear making the ear lie flatter against the head.

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Procedure: While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth, and smile.

Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam, and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings may fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.

Teeth Whitening: is one of the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedures. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine), or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.

Dental Veneers: Plastic or porcelain laminates bonded to the surface of a tooth to replace chips and cracks will improve a worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth whitening.

Dental Implants: are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry in order to compensate for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more youthful appearance.

Expected Results: Corrects discoloured, crooked or missing teeth.

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