Author: Allure Plastic Surgery

If you’re considering liposuction surgery, it’s important to know all the facts about what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Here is your ultimate guide to liposuction surgery.

Do you have stubborn fat you can’t get rid of?

Sometimes, no matter how hard we work, diet and exercise aren’t enough. A lack of results can become frustrating and force you to look for alternatives.

If you’re considering liposuction surgery, you’re not alone. Almost 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the U.S. just last year.

But you need to know all the facts. We’ve broken down the different types of lipo and what you can expect before, during and after the procedure. Read on to see if this is the right choice for you.

What Is Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction has been helping people deal with unwanted fat for a while. You’ve likely heard of it but perhaps aren’t quite sure what’s involved. In it’s most traditional form, the surgery is a procedure that sucks fat through a vacuum from underneath your skin. As it removes the fat, your surgeon can also use the instruments to shape and contour your body.

The procedure targets the stubborn fat that diet and exercise can’t get rid of. If you’re considering liposuction, you should have already tried to remove or reduce your excess fat with other methods, as any surgery should be the last resort as opposed to a first option.

The procedure can be done almost anywhere on the body there is excess fat but the most common areas are belly, thighs, buttocks, and hips. These areas, especially in women, tend to be the places where cellulite and fat remain even with the proper diet and exercise routine.

Over the years there have been many new innovations when it comes to fat removal, making the procedure less invasive and at times, even nonsurgical. Read on to learn about the different kinds of liposuction and which one might be right for you.

Different Kinds of Liposuction

We already know about the original and most common form of liposuction otherwise known as SAL or Suction Assist Liposuction, where fat is removed via a vacuum. Here is some newer technology.

Laser Liposuction

The use of lasers is a hot trend among the beauty and plastic surgery world lately. Laser liposuction essentially uses the heat and energy of a laser to melt your fat away. The theory is that if your fat is melted before it is removed, it can be removed in a more gentle, less invasive way.

While this might sound like a good option, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Because they’re working with lasers and the procedure is less invasive, many not-so-skilled surgeons are embarking on this endeavor and performing the procedure when they shouldn’t.

The laser option allows you to avoid the hospital and only use a local anesthesia. This sounds lovely but the reality is you can also use a local anesthesia with traditional liposuction so don’t let this fact sway your choice.

If you are going with laser lipo, be sure you are still seeing a qualified surgeon who is experienced in this type of procedure. With a laser involved, there is a risk of burning and other thermal caused impairments.

Keep in mind that studies have revealed laser lipo to be no safer or more effective than traditional lipo. We’re not suggesting you avoid this type of procedure as it does have its benefits and has become popular lately, just be sure to do your research and find a surgeon you trust.

Vaser

Vaser, otherwise known as Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction, uses ultrasound energy to break down fat and then a vacuum to remove it. This takes place by making an incision in whichever area you’re treating and placing the ultrasound technology inside your body to contact the fat directly.

The brand claims the benefits include less swelling, bruising and blood loss. They also say this is a smoother and less complex surgery to perform overall, making both the patient and surgeon happy. They claim to be able to remove fat from more challenging places like the back and love handles.

While some see success with this type of procedure, it’s again important to make sure you select a skilled and experienced surgeon to perform it. Something to keep in mind, however, is that the incision will need to be larger than a typical liposuction incision because the ultrasound device is bigger, which could lead to more scarring.

Power Assisted Liposuction

This may be the right choice for you if you have a large amount of fat that needs to be removed. The machine works faster and more efficiently to remove excess fat, making it great for your surgeon to complete a bigger job at once and without burning out.

It works the same way as traditional SAL, however, the tube they insert, otherwise known as the cannula, vibrates, allowing it to break down the fat faster than it typically would. But when it comes to results, there is no major difference between PAL and SAL.

If you aren’t intending to cover large areas that have a lot of fat, there’s no reason to opt for this version as opposed to the traditional lipo.

High Definition Liposuction

HDL is a much more in-depth procedure that requires two steps. The purpose of this surgery, as you may have guessed from its name, is to define and chisel the muscles in your body, mainly your torso and abdominal muscles, that are hiding under your fat.

This means first, the fat must be removed in the traditional way. The cannula is placed in very specific places where the surgeon understands a significant loss of fat will enhance the way the muscles appear. Next, the muscle is enhanced and fat is grafted to achieve that six pack look which everyone is after.

Because this is a more layered procedure, you can expect both the surgery itself and the recovery time to take longer.

Are You a Candidate?

Before you schedule your procedure, it’s important to determine if liposuction is the right choice for you.

Always consult your general practitioner before participating in even a routine procedure. He or she can tell if you if you are at a higher risk for complications or if this surgery is something to avoid based on your current medical condition or prior history.

Your surgeon will want to make sure you’re not a smoker and have no life-threatening or serious illnesses or injuries. You also need to be sure that you are within about 30% of your ideal weight. This means, your surgeon may as you to lose weight if you don’t fall within that realm.

The reason for this is that while liposuction can help reduce fat, it’s not meant to be a substitute for diet or exercise. Before you receive the procedure, you want to be sure you’re in as good of shape as you can feasibly get yourself into without the help of surgery. Once there, the results of liposuction will be greater and more visible to you.

Selecting a Surgeon

This is truly the most important part and selecting the right surgeon to perform this procedure should not be taken lightly. First, use the internet as a guide. Well-known and respected doctors are highly regarded in their reviews online. On the flip side, when patients have a poor experience with a physician, they are also inclined to write a review and share their story.

Reading online reviews should help you narrow down a surgeon. See if patients who had the same procedure you’re interested in were happy with their results and with the conduct and professionalism of the doctor and the office altogether.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you should schedule a consultation. Most consultations are free although some may require a small payment due at the time of the meeting. Regardless, a consultation is essential before you select a surgeon.

Go in with a list of questions or concerns. You may only get a limited amount of time with him or her so you want to be sure you use it well. You can tell a lot about a practice from an initial visit.

Is the staff organized, helpful and kind? Is the office clean and running smoothly? Notice the doctor’s bedside manner and how quickly they rush you out of the room or if they spend time walking you through the steps of the procedure and explaining what you can expect.

You also want to be sure you’re selecting a surgeon who is realistic with you about expectations. While liposuction is a great aid to achieving your ideal body, it won’t do all the work. Be wary of any doctor who wants to overdo it on the areas your treating or who promises life-changing results from the procedure.

What to Expect

Now that you’ve selected your surgeon and decided on the type of procedure you’re willing to undergo, it’s surgery day. So, what can you expect?

If you are getting liposuction that requires an incision or anesthesia of any kind, you’ll need to have someone drive you to and from the doctor’s office. Once you arrive, you’ll be taken by nurses into a room to prepare for the surgery. Your surgeon should stop by to check on you and go over what will take place.

The anesthesia will be administered and the surgery will be performed. When you wake up from the procedure, you can expect the area which was treated to be wrapped tightly to reduce swelling and minimize your pain. Don’t expect to see results right away.

Your body will swell since it has just experienced a kind of trauma. You can expect swelling to last for several days or even weeks. You should expect to return to your surgeon a few times after the surgery to check on your progress and be sure you are healing correctly.

Recovery

Recovery from liposuction is pretty quick. Hopefully, your surgeon has done everything they can to be sure the incision was minimal and the swelling is under control. If all went smoothly, you can likely return to your normal life in just a few days.

Your doctor can prescribe you pain medication which can be taken for a day or two right after surgery however over the counter pain reducers should also work fine. Once your bandages are removed, your doctor will likely give you a garment to wear underneath your clothing for a period of time. This item will have compression material that is meant to keep the skin tight and the swelling down.

At first, your scars will be visible but they’ll fade over time. Once you’ve recovered and no longer need to wear the compression garment, you can rub vitamin E oil or other scar minimizing serums to help it fade quickly. Most people don’t even notice their scar after about a year.

Liposuction Alternatives

If you’re not sure this procedure is right for you, keep in mind there are other nonsurgical options available to you. Body contouring and cool sculpting have become popular because it offers fat minimizing or reduction without the commitment of a surgery.

These techniques typically involve heat or cold energy that is meant to reduce fat cells, but not remove them entirely. While these newer and less invasive techniques might be the best choice, remember they won’t have the same noticeable results as liposuction.

What’s Right for You?

Now that you understand what is involved during a liposuction surgery, you can determine if this is the right procedure for you. It can certainly offer great results and get rid of fat you aren’t able to remove on your own.

Be sure to talk with a doctor before committing to any surgery and stay realistic about the results.

We’d love to help you feel confident and beautiful in your own skin. Contact us for a free consultation and don’t forget to check out our blog for more cosmetic tips.

How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your Needs?

Cosmetic surgery is a big decision and you want to use the foremost professional. Check out these 6 tips for choosing the best plastic surgeon.

As the overall stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery continues to decrease, more people than ever before are considering getting work done.

Whether you want to go up a cup size, fix a crooked nose, or just look a decade younger, there is seemingly no limit to what plastic surgery can help you accomplish.

Above all, it can help you to feel more confident, love yourself more, and even make great strides in both your personal and professional life.

If you’re thinking about having a cosmetic procedure performed on you, don’t settle for anything less than the best plastic surgeon in the best city in the world: New York.

What kinds of questions should you ask a potential plastic surgeon to ensure that you end up in the best possible hands?

Read on to find out.

1. Find a Professional who Specializes in what you Want

It’s not exactly a secret that there are lots of high-quality and experienced plastic surgeons in New York City.

However, you want the best plastic surgeon for the specific procedure that you’re interested in having done.

For example, if your caboose needs a little boost? Look for a plastic surgeon who specializes in Brazilian butt lifts or even butt implants. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and have suffered from facial lacerations, you might want to work with a surgeon who has experience in facial reconstruction surgery.

Usually, these plastic surgeons will advertise their specialties on their website.

This means that they may have access to new and revolutionary procedures and techniques that other plastic surgeons might not have yet. They’ll also likely have hosted lots of industry events, and may even have written studies and articles for plastic surgery journals and magazines.

If you want to work with a specialist, of course, before you start interviewing potential plastic surgeons and meeting for consultations, you’ll need to know exactly what you want.

It’s a good idea to do a bit of research not just when it comes to the best plastic surgeon professionals, but also regarding various procedures. Once you know which ones will give you the results you’re looking for, you can find surgeons that specialize in those areas.

2. Ask About their Education and Credentials

If you want to find the best plastic surgeon in New York City, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve asked about their education and experience.

Where did they go to medical school? Where did they complete their residency training? For how many years have they been in practice, and about how many cosmetic surgeries have the performed over the course of their career?

Remember that it is your right to ask to see a copy of their diplomas, as well as to verify any sort of certification they’ve received.

In addition to their educational background and overall credentials, you should ask whether or not the surgeon you want to work with is a member of any professional organizations or associations.

These can include societies like the American Association of Plastic Surgeons.

This will let you know that your surgeon has an excellent network and that they’re committed to continuing their education in the field of plastic surgery.

3. Speak to Past References

So, you think that you’ve finally found the best plastic surgeon for the procedure that you’ve wanted to have done for years.

How do you know?

Because you’ve read tons of glowing online reviews and past patient testimonials. In fact, the surgeon even has an entire section of their website highlighting all the nice things that their patients have said about them.

Hold it right there.

How do you know that actual past patients wrote those reviews? In fact, how do you know that it’s not actually the surgeon themselves writing them from behind their office computer?

When about 15% of all the online reviews out there are fake, there’s only one way to know for sure if what people are saying about a surgeon online is actually accurate.

You need to speak with them directly, either in person or over the telephone.

We suggest asking your plastic surgeon to connect you with a minimum of two past references. If at all possible, these references should be people who have undergone the procedures that you’re interested in.

When you speak to these references, make sure you know what to ask them.

Start by asking about their overall satisfaction with the work they had done. Have the results lasted? Were there any complications? Was the recovery period accurately described to them? Have they suffered any side effects?

Then, make sure that you ask about the payment plans and fees.

Were there any hidden charges, like anesthesia, that were tacked on without being discussed? Was the billing cycle as described?

You want to make sure you know what to expect on all fronts.

4. Understand the Fee Structure

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the best plastic surgeon professionals in New York City don’t exactly come cheap.

And, as we mentioned earlier, shopping by price just isn’t the best or safest way to go when you’re in the market for a qualified and experienced surgeon.

That being said, you want to know what sort of fee structure and payment plan you’re getting into. You also want to ensure that you can truly afford the procedure that you’d like to have done.

You need to be aware that the majority of plastic surgeons do not accept health insurance as a viable payment method. If you’re having plastic surgery in order to help to correct a medical issue, like trouble seeing or breathing, there may be exceptions to this rule.

Still, you need to manage your expectations when it comes to your pipe dream of having your insurance company pay for your breast augmentation.

This means you’ll need to clearly understand the total cost of your surgery, and how that fee is collected.

The costs can cover the surgery itself, the anesthesia, the follow-up appointments and consultations, and much more. In some cases, you’ll also need to pay the price of the implants.

Some surgeons will require you to pay in a lump sum, while others will bill you on a monthly basis. Make sure you know exactly how much you’ll likely be paying each month before you decide to go ahead with any procedure.

5. Schedule a Consultation

If you really want to know whether or not you’ve truly found the best plastic surgeon for you in New York City?

You’ll need to meet with them for a consultation.

This will help you to get a handle on whether or not you’re actually eligible for the procedure of your dreams. You’ll also be able to much better evaluate the overall level of care you can expect to receive from your plastic surgeon.

Make sure that the surgeon can very clearly explain the risks and possible results of what you want to have done. They should be able to provide you with the worst case scenario, as well as how you can expect to look.

Keep in mind that a good surgeon won’t make promises that they can’t deliver on.

If you feel like your surgeon is promising you expectations that go beyond your wildest dreams, then you have every right to be suspicious.

You should also ask about the overall recovery period that comes with the procedure you’re considering.

Do you need to take a vacation from work? Will you be well enough to drive yourself home after the procedure? How many days, if any, will you need to stay in a hospital afterward? What about asking a friend or family to care for you after the surgery?

Most of all, will the surgery be able to be finished in one session? Or, is this the kind of procedure that will require you to make multiple trips to the plastic surgeon?

These are all things you need to know before you make a life-altering — and often, expensive — decision.

It might sound silly to some people, but you do need to consider whether or not you actually like and get along with your plastic surgeon.

If you feel like there’s a disconnect between your communication style and your surgeon’s, you may want to move on.

6. Check out Their Portfolio

The final step in making sure that you choose the best plastic surgeon possible, whether in New York City or anywhere else?

Make sure that you take the time to look through their portfolio, otherwise known as a patient gallery. This will help you to manage your expectations, and to see how the results look on other people.

In short, it’s the best way to get to know the overall quality of a plastic surgeon’s work. This is one of the most important steps that you can take when it comes to effectively evaluating a potential plastic surgery professional.

You can also learn more about how different procedures give different results.

Who knows?

You might even end up deciding to have multiple procedures done after seeing how the results have ended up looking at other people that the surgeon has treated.

Looking through a “Before and After” portfolio on a plastic surgeon’s website won’t just let you know the kinds of results that you can expect to receive.

It also proves that your surgeon has just as much experience as they claim to.

If you don’t see any portfolio on their website, then we strongly suggest that you look elsewhere.

Looking for the Best Plastic Surgeon in New York City?

From checking a plastic surgeon’s credentials to connecting with past references, there are lots of ways you can find the best plastic surgeon in New York City.

Above all, remember that no one can decide on the right surgeon or procedure other than yourself. Don’t let anyone bully or shame you into getting something done to yourself that you don’t really want.

Are you ready to connect with the best plastic surgeon that New York City has to offer?

If so, then we’re already looking forward to working with you.

Spend some time on our website to learn more about the wide variety of procedures we have experience performing.

When you’re ready to transform your face, your body, and your life, reach out to us to schedule a consultation.

We can’t wait to help you to look as great as you already feel.

Liposuction is one of the most common procedures performed every year in the USA. From 2019 to 2022, it was ranked as the top surgical cosmetic procedure nationwide. So, how does liposuction work? Dr. Elliot Heller from Allure Plastic Surgery explains, “Liposuction involves removing fat using a vacuum device, and nowadays, it’s often combined with laser technology.” Liposuction is great for sculpting your body and works well in combination with other procedures. It is effective for targeting stubborn areas of fat.

In this article, we are going to discuss how liposuction works. First, we will answer the main topic in short, and then we will go into the details.

Overview of the Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is a surgical procedure defined by the removal of adipose tissue via suction. Various techniques exist; however, all involve the insertion of a cannula beneath the skin where fat deposits are prevalent.

This cannula, in conjunction with an injected solution, facilitates the disintegration and aspiration of adipose cells. The cannula is designed with a blunt tip to ensure that only the targeted adipose tissue is removed, preserving the integrity of nerves and other permanent structures.

Anesthesia is administered on the day of the procedure to ensure patient comfort. The type of anesthesia used—local, general, or tumescent—depends on the extent of the liposuction. The surgeon then marks the specific areas where fat removal will occur, ensuring precision and symmetry.

Small incisions, typically less than a centimeter, are made at the marked sites. These incisions are strategically placed to minimize visible scarring. Through these incisions, a cannula is inserted to break up and loosen the fat cells in the targeted areas. The fat is then suctioned out using a vacuum device attached to the cannula.

During the procedure, a tumescent solution is injected to minimize bleeding, provide anesthesia, and facilitate fat removal. Once the desired amount of fat is removed, the incisions are either closed with sutures or left open to drain. Post-operative care includes wearing compression garments, taking prescribed medications, and avoiding strenuous activities to ensure optimal healing.

Types of Liposuctions

Numerous acronyms and terminologies are used to describe the various types of liposuction, largely driven by the marketing strategies of service providers and the perception of liposuction as a cosmetic surgical procedure. 

These distinctions are primarily based on the specific techniques employed. It is possible for practitioners to develop new methods tailored to particular criteria and subsequently assign a unique name to these techniques.

We are going to focus on the types based on the technology of liposuction being used.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL) – Smartlipo

This is one of the most talked about technologies out there. We have not found any conclusive evidence of this process being the best one. But the proposed advantages are-

• Helps tightening the connective tissue
• Helps tightening the skin

And here we are only talking about the areas where we do the procedure. 

However, we do not always use this process because, in our clinic, we have not seen any significant differences, and there is not enough academic literature on it to justify the risks.The risks include burning under the skin, tissue damage, and other consequences.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) – VASER liposuction

This technology is particularly beneficial for new surgeons. Here’s a list of its advantages:

• It’s excellent for revision liposuction
• Easier for surgeons to operate

But it also has the risk of creating a thermal injury especially at access sites.

Traditional (Suction-Assisted) Liposuction (SAL)

This is the standard procedure for liposuction. Most board-certified plastic surgeons use this process, and it is also the safest and most efficient way to remove fat with minimal additional risk.

It involves administering anesthesia, making small incisions in the target area, and inserting a thin tube called a cannula. The surgeon then manually moves the cannula to break up fat cells, which are suctioned out using a vacuum device. Afterward, the incisions are closed or left open to drain, and the patient receives post-operative care instructions.

These are the primary types of liposuction, but several popular enhancements are also available. Those are- 

• Tumescent Liposuction
• Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
• Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL)
• Micro-Air Power-Assisted Liposuction

Risks and Complications of Liposuction

While liposuction is generally safe when performed by a qualified surgeon, it carries potential risks and complications. Patients should be aware of these possibilities to make an informed decision. Here are some of the most common risks and complications associated with liposuction:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anesthesia risks (including allergic reactions and respiratory issues)
• Contour irregularities (uneven fat removal, asymmetry, and skin discoloration)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Numbness (temporary or permanent)
• Fat embolism (fat entering the bloodstream)
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism)
• Allergic reactions (to medications or materials)
• Skin necrosis (death of skin cells)
• Persistent swelling and bruising
• Scarring
• Changes in skin sensation (increased or decreased sensitivity)
• Poor healing (delayed healing or wound complications)

Areas of Liposuction

Here are the details of some of the most popular areas for liposuction:

Abdomen and Flanks

This is one of the most common areas for liposuction. Patients often target this area to remove excess fat and achieve a slimmer waistline. The fat removed from the abdomen and flanks can sometimes be used for fat transfer procedures, such as breast or buttock enlargement.

Neck Area

Liposuction in the neck area helps contour the neck, improving the cervical angle (side view of the neck) and tightening the jawline. This procedure is often recommended to enhance the overall facial profile and create a more defined look.

Chest Area

Liposuction in the chest area is performed on both men and women. For women, it is commonly done on the sides of the breasts to reduce size or for breast reductions. For men, it can help with conditions like gynecomastia (excess male breast tissue) to achieve a more masculine chest contour.

Thighs

Liposuction can be performed on both the inner and outer thighs to create a more proportionate and slender leg appearance. It helps in reducing thigh circumference and improving the overall contour of the legs.

Upper Arms

Excess fat in the upper arms can be effectively removed through liposuction, resulting in a more toned and defined appearance. This area is often targeted to eliminate “bat wings” and improve arm contours.

Back

This is the most painful of them all. Liposuction on the back targets excess fat in areas like the upper back (near the bra line) and lower back. This helps in creating a smoother, more contoured back profile.

Hips

Liposuction in the hip area helps to eliminate stubborn fat deposits that contribute to a wider hip appearance. This can enhance the overall body contour and create a more balanced figure.

Buttocks

While not always for fat removal, liposuction around the buttocks can help in sculpting and enhancing the shape. In some cases, the fat can be used for fat transfer to augment the buttocks, commonly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

Calves and Ankles

Liposuction in these areas can help to slim down the lower legs, providing a more streamlined and proportionate appearance. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with disproportionate fat deposits in the calves and ankles.

Each of these areas can be treated with liposuction to help patients achieve their desired body shape and improve overall contour and proportion.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction may not be the best solution for everyone. Below, we outline who might not be an ideal candidate-

• Someone who maintains a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle is a good candidate for this procedure. Maybe someone has reached their weight loss goals but the fat in the stubborn areas are not going away.
• Someone who has a lot of loose skin should not get a liposuction. Liposuction can actually make loose skin worse. We see that mostly in the inner thighs and abdomen. You should consider a tummy tuck or other procedures like it before a liposuction.

What Steps to Take Before Liposuction?

First of all, you want to be as close to your goal weight as possible. A good diet, intermittent fasting, and other healthy lifestyle options need to be adopted. It’s important to maintain a stable weight for several months prior to the procedure. 

Additionally, you may consult with your primary care physician to ensure you are in good health and fit for surgery. Discuss any medications, supplements, or medical conditions with your surgeon, as certain medications may need to be adjusted or paused before the procedure. Avoid smoking and alcohol, as they can interfere with the healing process. 

Finally, set realistic expectations and discuss your goals and concerns thoroughly with your surgeon to ensure you understand the potential outcomes and limitations of the procedure.

How Much Is the Downtime After Receiving Liposuction?

Recovery time depends on the patient and the extent of the procedure. Full-body liposuction typically requires about two weeks of downtime, while a smaller, targeted area may only need three days.

Your hydration is also important. Staying hydrated can aid in quicker recovery. However, individuals with less body fat may experience a longer recovery period. 

It is a painful process. So we would recommend you to take some time off after this even if you are feeling okay.

Final Words

As you can see, the process is straightforward when you’re in the hands of experienced professionals. And it is also one of the safest medical procedures.

To know more about it, you can always book an appointment with us. We will be more than happy to talk about your personal preferences. It will help you understand the best way to go for a liposuction.

Achieve Your Aesthetic Goals with Allure Plastic Surgery

At Allure Plastic Surgery, located in Manhattan and Staten Island, New York, we offer a comprehensive range of plastic surgery and aesthetic services. Our clinic offers exceptional results personalized to each patient’s unique needs and desires, ensuring a personalized experience that enhances your natural beauty. 

Whether you’re considering a facelift, breast augmentation, or a non-surgical treatment like Botox or fillers, our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team provide a safe and comfortable environment. We are committed to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals with the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any medical concerns or before starting any treatment. Do not ignore professional medical advice due to information read here. The authors are not responsible for any outcomes from the use of this information.

What You Need to Know About Male Plastic Surgery in NYC

Plastic surgery isn’t just for women any more. Here’s everything you need to know about male plastic surgery in New York City.

It might be hard to admit it, but you need plastic surgery. You’ve tried everything and are ashamed that you would be so much happier and confident if you could fix that one thing.
 

There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Plastic surgery isn’t just for women anymore. In 2016, The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that the 325 percent more men were getting male plastic surgery since 1997. If you’re considering plastic surgery, here’s everything you need to know about male plastic surgery in New York City.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Male Plastic Surgery

Before we get into the nitty-gritty and break down the different types of procedures available, it’s essential that you are aware of a couple of things. Plastic surgery is permanent, so make sure you’ve done all your research before you go under the knife.

Plastic Surgery Procedures Are Done Differently For Men and Women

While men and women are probably looking for similar results from plastic surgery, it’s important to keep in mind that the approach is different for each sex. This is because of the obvious, men and women’s bodies are different.

Each body has features that are unique to each sex like the thickness of skin, pore size, and even where each gender stores fat. Male cosmetic surgery focuses more on creating and retaining more masculine features like six-pack abs or a sharp jawline, while female cosmetic surgery may be more focused on perfecting that hourglass shape.

When looking for a surgeon, be sure to find one who is both board-certified and also experienced in the kind of procedure you want. If your potential surgeon has more female than male patients, you may want to consider someone else who more experience with male plastic surgery.

Plastic Surgery Does Not Replace Working Out

If you want to get in shape, plastic surgery isn’t the only answer. Getting a procedure like liposuction or abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) does not replace having a healthy diet and working out.

These procedures are better suited when you’ve exhausted working out and eating healthy, but still, have a little bit left you’re trying to get rid of. This is very common after an extreme weight loss. Liposuction eliminates isolated areas of fatty tissues, which usually means your flanks (or love handles), or even your chest and lower back area.

A tummy tuck is helpful if you’re looking to get rid of a little extra abdominal fat or excess skin. Even after the procedure, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Otherwise, your results will fade.

You need to rest after plastic surgery

Being out of commission can be incredibly difficult. You can’t work, be social, or do most of the things you love. So, it’s important to keep in mind that you will be out of commission for at least several days after a procedure.

This can vary on the type of procedure performed, but there’s a chance you may need to take not only days but weeks off work to properly heal. The more invasive your procedure is, the more time off work you’ll need after your treatment.

If you don’t rest after a procedure, then you increase your risk of serious complications and perhaps even undoing results from your surgery. Listen to your doctor at follow-up appointments about what activities you can and cannot do.

Noninvasive Techniques Can Boost Your Appearance Too

You don’t necessarily have to go under the knife to improve your looks. This might be a good option for you if you’re not ready for the price and recovery time that comes with invasive surgery.

If you’re looking to get rid of wrinkles, achieve more definition to your facial features, get rid of some extra fat or improve your complexion, then look into non-surgical procedures such as Botox, chemical peels, fillers or CoolSculpting. We’ll break down those procedures in a little bit, so keep reading.

The Right Surgeon Makes a Difference

You’ve seen the show Botched, right? A lot of those plastic surgery victims are at fault of their surgeon, which is why it’s important to find the right doctor for your procedure.

Always go with a plastic surgeon who has a good background in male cosmetic procedures. This is usually the best way to ensure you’ll get natural-looking results. Also, make sure you meet this doctor in person to learn more about the procedure and to make sure you feel comfortable.

If for any reason you feel uneasy or comfortable about your doctor, trust your gut (you might be trying to get rid of) and move on. Never settle when it comes to your body, face and overall health.

Most Popular Procedures for Men

Now that you know what to keep in mind before getting plastic surgery, let’s break down the different procedures out there you can find the one that’s right for you.

Non-Surgical

If you have limited budget or time for a procedure, you might want to consider looking into non-surgical procedures. They’re typically less expensive and tend to require less time for recovery. Here are the ones men in New York City are getting.

Botox

Botox is the number one procedure for men currently. It’s become so popular for men, that people are even calling it “Brotox.”

Botox is a protein that’s highly concentrated, so when it’s injected into your skin, it softens the movement of your muscles. These are the muscles that make horizontal wrinkles in your forehead, the lines that make you look angry or worried, and also your squint lines.

To fully see the effects of Botox, keep in mind it might take a few days before it before it starts working. Often within two weeks or maybe sooner, your forehead will look smoother, but still stay expressive. Botox also isn’t permanent, it lasts for approximately four months and requires follow-up procedure.

Dermal Fillers

Out of all the cosmetic procedures men got in 2016, dermal fillers made up about 169,000 of them. Fillers are injections made of hyaluronic acid (HA). This acid is actually found in our bodies naturally, but it depletes the more we age.

HA can be injected into the undereye hollows (or tear troughs), which helps reduce dark circles, bags, and shadows under the eye.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is another common procedure for men. It involves using IPL (intense pulsed light) that gets into the skin at a deeper level. This helps to fade brown pigment spots or red patches from sun damage. These sessions aren’t that painless and take less than an hour, but there can be some sign of the treatment after, like redness. These side effects tend to fade away in less than a week.

CoolSculpting

CoolScupting is a great non-surgical alternative to liposuction, as it gives men fat removal without any pain or downtime. It’s best for toning, and if there’s a large amount of fat you’re trying to remove, then you might need a tummy tuck or liposuction.

When you get CoolScuplting, what happens is your fat you want to minimize gets frozen, and a percentage of that fat dies. Over a couple of months, the dead fat gets flushed from the body.

Surgical

If you’ve exhausted all non-surgical procedures and you’re still not seeing results, then it might be time for surgery. Just make sure you have time to recover and the budget for these procedures. Here at the most common plastic surgeries for men in New York City.

Hair Transplant

Hair transplants can actually be minimally invasive if your surgeon is doing NeoGraft which uses the Follicular Unit Extraction or FUI technique. During this procedure, hair follicles are individually removed from the back of your head, and then placed in areas that need hair.

Liposuction

When liposuction was introduced in 1974, it was embraced by both sexes. Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a blunt hollow tube that suctions out unwanted fat.

While historically women were more likely to get liposuction than men, who preferred to sweat out their fat, now more than ever more men are embracing this procedure too.

This is due to the finding that men and women can both develop problem areas, that will not change no matter how much you diet or exercise. Due to this finding, from 1997 to 2016 there was a huge rise in the number of liposuction procedures performed. Before 1997 only 4.6 of plastic surgeries were liposuction, to that percentage has increased to a whopping 134.3 percent for both men and women.

You can get liposuction in almost any area of the body. It’s often performed with a local anesthetic, so you don’t have to deal with expensive hospital anesthesia charges. The recovery time from this procedure can be about one to two weeks of feeling sore, but not in pain.

Male Breast Reduction

This cosmetic surgery has been in demand for men, and will likely continue to be popular this year and for years to come. Excess male breast tissue is called gynecomastia, and it can develop during puberty due to not having enough testosterone. Gynecomastia can also happen as adults since testosterone levels can decrease with age.

“Man boobs” or “moobs” can be embarrassing for men and can easily affect a man’s self-esteem and self-worth. But they’re not alone; it’s estimated that 40 to 60 percent of men have gynecomastia. Luckily, this condition can be fixed with a male breast reduction, which gets rid of this excess tissue.

There has been an increase in male breast reduction surgeries, since 1997, the number of these procedures increased 181%. In the year 2016, there was actually 31,368 breast reduction procedures performed.

Eyelid Surgery

This is the third most popular cosmetic procedure for men (behind liposuction and male breast reduction). If fillers don’t work to remove signs of aging from the eyes, then men turn to this eyelid surgery, which can make your face look younger.

This procedure gets rid of hooded upper eyelids and or undereye bags, both of which can give away your age. The downside is this procedure is usually the most noticeable to other people, especially if a good surgeon does not perform it.

You know a good eyelid surgery, which is also called blepharoplasty when the results are a natural look. Also if not done properly, this procedure could potentially impair vision. That is why an oculoplastic surgeon should always do it.

This procedure is done with two incisions, one on the natural fold of your upper lid, and the other is on the lash line of your lower lids. Your upper lids excess skin is removed and then closed, which can make a scar on the fold of your upper lip that’s usually not noticeable. Your lower lids are fixed as natural fat are inserted to smooth out your undereye.

This procedure can be done with local anesthetic, and takes as little as a half hour, as long as two hours. This procedure is also affordable, and you can return to work one week after surgery. You might have to wear glasses and or sunglasses in the interim to hide redness and swelling.

Get That Procedure

Now you should know everything you need to know about male plastic surgery in New York City.

We are living in a time where many men get and embrace their procedures so don’t be ashamed. If getting surgery will help boost your confidence and self-esteem, then that’s an investment in yourself that’s worth it.

Just make sure you do the necessary research before getting a procedure. Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon and that he is board certified. Look into all your options for procedures before you decide.

Often you may find that there is a non-surgical alternative to the procedure you want, try that first before going under the knife. Know the plastic surgery is not only a financial commitment but a time commitment as well.

Before committing to surgery, make sure you have the necessary time needed to recover fully. For more information on New York City male plastic surgery, be sure to check out our blog.

After having children, you deserve to take care of yourself and feel your best. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the mommy makeover.

Your breasts are sagging and lack volume. You have excess skin on your tummy. You’ve gone through the wonderful experience of bringing a life into this world. It’s time to consider a mommy makeover.

A mommy makeover can provide a combination of treatments to bring your body back to pre-baby shape. Through invasive and non-invasive treatments, you can get the help exercise and diet cannot give.

Keep reading to find out if a mommy makeover is right for you.

What is it

Your plastic surgeon is going to create a customized plan to address your concerns. The goal is to assist you in getting your pre-baby shape back.

This can include a face, breasts, and body restoration. Your treatment plan can include surgical procedures and non-surgical procedures.

Surgical Procedures

There are some common procedures that are considered when determining your mommy makeover plan.

Breast augmentation and lift can correct the shape and fullness of your breasts. If your breasts are sagging or your nipples are not “perky” any more a breast augmentation can help correct it.

If your breasts have become asymmetrical this can be corrected through implants. Your stretched or large nipples and areolas can be reshaped.

If you have sagging or loose skin on your tummy, it can be corrected through a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck can also repair your stomach muscles that may have been damaged by stretching or tearing during pregnancy.

Liposuction can help reduce any fat deposits on your stomach and hips that you cannot get rid of with diet and exercise.

Nonsurgical Procedures

There are many procedures you can get that do not involve invasive surgical procedures. These are a great option if you are planning to have more children.

Skin resurfacing treatments will help give you a more youthful and fresh look. Stress ages people and going through pregnancy and birth is a stressful experience.

Skin tightening uses heat on the deep layers of your skin. This is done with ultrasound, radiofrequency, or IPL/ radiofrequency combination treatment.

The collagen and elastin in your skin are stimulated so more is produced tightening the look of your skin. If cellulite is your skin problem there are treatments that stimulate fibrous tissues to smooth out the skin.

Botox and fillers could help give you a more youthful look by eliminating the look of fine lines and wrinkles. These treatments are not permanent and will have to be redone every six months to a year depending on treatment.

Nonsurgical fat reduction breaks down fat in a particular area slowly. There is a modest fat loss with this method.

Feminine rejuvenation brings the tone and tightness back to your vulvovaginal tissues. Not just childbearing can cause your genital tissue to lose its tone.

Age and hormonal changes can also contribute to the changing features of the tissue. If you have urinary leakage, vaginal dryness, or painful sexual intercourse, you may be experiencing a loss of vaginal tone.

Rejuvenation can restore sagging, large, and asymmetrical labia. There are nonsurgical and surgical options for vaginal rejuvenation.

Surgical involves Vaginoplasty, Clitoral hood reduction, and Mons pubis reduction. These procedures are invasive and require recovery time.

Nonsurgical options are less invasive but may require more treatments. The treatment only takes 15 minutes and patients experience improvement within one to two days.

When to Get the Procedures

When you decide to start treatment is a decision specific to you and the opinion of your plastic surgeon. Trust your doctor’s advice.

They do these procedures regularly and understand proper timing is important. There are some factors to consider when deciding when is the right time.

You need to wait until you are fully recovered from your childbirth before you start new procedures. Be aware that sometimes this can take six to eight months.

If you are wanting a breast augmentation you will have to wait until several months after you stop breastfeeding. Your breasts have gone through 9 months of changes during pregnancy.

Then they experienced more changes during breastfeeding. You need to give your breasts time to stabilize into a constant size and shape.

You don’t want to go through the experience of breast augmentation and spend money only to have your breasts naturally change again.

You will be paying for another surgery to adjust them again. Better to let them change and fully do their thing before your surgeon goes in and starts making changes.

If you are planning on getting injectables you may have to wait until you are done breastfeeding. You do not want to risk any contamination of your breastmilk that is being given to your child.

If you get surgical procedures as a part of your mommy makeover, you won’t be able to pick up anything over 10 pounds. This means you are going to need help with childcare.

Make sure you do not want any more children. It is best to wait until you are done before having many surgical procedures. Procedures that fall into this category are a tummy tuck, breast lift, and lower body lift.

What If You Have Another Child

You should wait until you are done, but it isn’t the end of the world if you have another child. There are some things you should keep in mind if you decide to have more children.

If you have gotten a tummy tuck you could have some complications. Your abdominal muscles will have been tightened by sutures.

Going through pregnancy could undo the tummy tuck. This means you’ll have to get another one post-pregnancy.

Decide if you are willing to take on the additional cost and trauma to your body. It may be better to get some of the procedures done and wait to do the tummy tuck until you are positive you do not want to have more children.

Cost

The cost of a mommy makeover can vary greatly depending on the procedures performed, where in the country you are, and what surgeon you choose. The average cost ranges from ten thousand to twenty thousand dollars.

Items that go into the cost of your makeover include the surgeon’s fee, hospital or surgical facility fees, anesthesia fees, medications, implants, post-surgery garments, and medical tests or x rays.

Do not travel a long distance to find a better deal for your surgeries. Select your surgeon based on skill, track record, credentials, reputation, and your comfort level. You want to be near your surgeon for follow-ups and in the event of any complications.

Once your surgery experience is finished and you are healed you’ll need to purchase new clothes. You will have a new body shape.

Your old clothes may no longer look good or even fit anymore. This is an additional cost associated with getting your mommy makeover.

Financing Options

With the high cost of mommy makeovers, you may not be able to pay for the full cost of the procedures out of pocket. Financing may be available through your surgeon’s office.

Almost all practices accept credit cards. Be careful putting such a large procedure on a credit card though.

You could very easily get deep in credit card debt this way. Consider the interest rate you will be paying and what the total cost of the procedure will be once you pay the credit card off.

There are many third-party companies that offer to finance plastic surgery procedures exclusively. This may be a better option to credit cards, but will also cost you more with interest.

Selecting a Plastic Surgeon

You are looking for a surgeon who is experienced in the mommy makeover plan. Don’t look for a surgeon who has performed these procedures individually.

You want your surgeon to be experienced in performing them all together, and how your body is going to react and respond to the multiple procedures.

Ask your potential surgeon how many of these makeovers the surgeon has done. Ask to see before and after pictures. Look for patients who have similar issues to yours.

Check out online reviews of your surgeon. See if they have a solid reputation of providing not only a high level of quality care but that patients are happy with their results.

Have Reasonable Expectations

Have reasonable expectations about the results of your mommy makeover. Listen to your surgeon about what is possible.

In most cases, it is difficult to replicate exactly your pre-pregnancy body. Your surgeon will be able to give you a firmer and more fit body.

Do not expect your procedures to be the magic cure-all. The goal is to give you more confidence in your own body.

Exercise

Go on a healthy diet and exercise plan before you begin your mommy makeover. You may not need as many surgical procedures if you can shed some pounds on your own.

Surgery is a dangerous thing, no matter what you are going under the knife for. There are more risks and can be more complicated when you are overweight.

If you continue to workout and diet after your procedures your body shape can change again. You want to make sure you are in your ideal shape before you begin to make changes surgically.

A good rule of thumb is to get to your ideal weight and maintain it for at least three months. If you can do this you will be in great shape for your makeover.

Emotional Journey

Face it, you just had a baby. You brought a human into the world. You’ve already gone through a pretty emotional and stressful journey.

Getting multiple plastic surgery procedures to majorly change your body is going to be another emotional journey. You are going to feel stress at some point in the process.

You will experience an adjustment period accepting your new body. Your body will have changed overnight.

Make sure you get plenty of rest during the process. You will need to make yourself a priority and take care of yourself.

Let the people around you know what’s happening and be included in your journey. Your family and friends are there to support you.

Recovery

Do not underestimate the time you are going to need to recover. Plan to take time off work. Plan to have help carrying for your children and yourself.

Depending on the procedures you choose to have done, you will have limited mobility after your procedures. The average recovery time for a mommy makeover is six weeks.

You’ll most likely be bedridden for the first week. After two to three weeks you’ll be able to drive and do light tasks. After five to six weeks you should be close to normal life again.

If you did your prep work and exercised beforehand, you will be better prepared for a faster and less complicated recovery process. Wait until your doctor approves before you begin working out again.

Be prepared for swelling. Do not panic if your breasts seem WAY BIGGER than what you expected post-surgery. They are just swollen and will reduce in size.

It’s important to be patient and wait for your body to finish healing. Your shape is going to change a lot as the swelling goes down and your body adjusts to what just happened.

It can take the full 6 six before you start to see your final shape. Breasts are most known for going through many changes before you see the final result.

Scarring

You will have scarring. Skilled surgeons will do everything they can to ensure you have minimal scarring. They will also try to hide the scars in places that will be hidden by clothing.

While the surgeon will do everything he can to reduce the look of the scars, a big factor is your body. If you scar easily, this will be no different.

Once you are done you can do things to reduce the scarring with lotions or vitamin E. The scars may also fade with time.

Start Your Mommy Makeover Journey

You’ve read the process and what the mommy makeover can do for you. If a makeover is something you are interested in, contact a plastic surgeon.

Schedule your consultation today to start your mommy makeover process.

Considering a facelift but need more details? Click here to learn all about the differences between facelifts, mini-facelifts, brow lifts, and neck lifts. In 2015, a whopping 15.9 million patients opted for surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures in the States!

If the thought of getting a lift procedure has ever crossed your mind, it isn’t surprising considering how common they are. On the face of it (pardon the pun) the operation seems a tad unnatural, so it’s often the subject of a lot of questions. For example:

How do they work?

How long’s the recovery period?

How long will the effects of the surgery last?

Is it painful?

Is there more than one kind of facelift?

These are some of the most common questions associated with facelifts, and we’re going to tackle all of them throughout this blog post. Let’s dive on in.

What’s a Facelift?

For those of you who don’t know, as we get older our skin will begin to lose its elasticity. So, over time, our face is prone to developing deep wrinkles, and saggier looking skin.

Therefore, a facelift aims to tighten or remove any sagging or wrinkled facial and/or neck tissue from across the bottom two-thirds of your face. This lift procedure is ideal for anyone who wants to carry on looking like a younger version of themselves.

Here’s a short video from Dr. Andrew Miller, one of our expert surgeons here at Allure Plastic Surgery:

There’s More Than One Lift Procedure

The most common misconception about facelifts is that there’s only one type of lift procedure. We’re here to set the record straight and tell you there’s at least four you should know about if you’re considering this procedure.

The kind of lift you’ll require will depend on a couple of factors. Namely, how much excess skin you have, and what you want to look like as a result of your surgery.

1.) the Full Facelift

Let’s start with the ‘full facelift.’ This is the most extreme lift procedure out of the four discussed in this article.

Your surgeon will make a few incisions just behind your hairline (close to your temples) and will then gradually work their way round to the front of your ears. This is done to ensure that no incision is noticeable on your cheeks.

As the cut is taken behind the ear, the incision stays completely inside the crease and away into the hairline so it’s completely hidden. Then, your cosmetic surgeon can realign your deeper tissues located under your skin and get rid of any excess skin.

By doing this, they’re able to smooth out any creases on your face and get rid of any jowls under the chin and neck. Naturally, out of all four of these procedures, there’s a slightly longer recovery time. However, after that’s passed, patients will notice a lot of improvement across their face.

2.) the Mid-Facelift

The mid-facelift tends to focus on the center of the face. This is particularly effective if you’re conscious about the sagging in your cheeks or the deeper wrinkles found around your mouth.

3.) the Lower Facelift

If you’re only concerned about saggy skin across the bottom half of your face (and as long as the upper half of your face is in excellent condition), a lower facelift is probably the best option for you.

However, only opt for this if you’re confident you don’t need any work done across the middle of your face- otherwise, you’ll get an unbalanced and unnatural look, and it’ll be obvious you’ve had cosmetic surgery.

4.) the Mini-Facelift

The best way to describe this lift procedure is by likening it to a smaller ‘full facelift’. This is an excellent way of eradicating any unwanted signs of aging before they become too ingrained.

The benefit of nipping these issues in the bud with a ‘mini-facelift’ is that it drastically decreases the likelihood of requiring more extensive surgery later down the line.

As part of the operation, the surgeon will use much smaller incisions. This is what makes this method less invasive. The surgeon typically makes these cuts across the hairlines above both ears and/or the creases surrounding the ears.

A ‘mini-lift’ will focus on tightening the skin around the cheeks and jaw. Once the surgeon has made these incisions, they’re able to lift and tighten the tissue surrounding the cheeks. This is essential if you’re hoping to correct any jowls and refine your jawline.

However, this lift procedure doesn’t offer any muscle correction. Therefore, the results aren’t permanent. The effects tend to last approximately five years. You might be interested to know, that depending on your own personal circumstances, this procedure may be able to be performed using just a local anesthetic.

However, it’s possible to entirely under while the operation commences. During your consultation with your surgeon, they’ll advise you as to which option is the best for you.

Will My Eyelids Be Operated On?

In short, no they won’t. Typically, people assume that having a facelift means operating on the entire face, including the eyes- and they’re not. Facelifts only tackle the lower two-thirds of your face (your cheeks and jawline).

This is because our facial anatomy massively differs depending on which part of the face you’re talking about. Therefore, a completely different set of techniques are necessary if you wish to operate on them.

Hence, if you’re looking to correct the appearance of your eyelids, you’ll need to opt for an eyelid lift. Conversely, if you’re looking to smooth any wrinkles found on your brow, you’ll want a brow lift.

If these other procedures are something you’d like more information on, we recommend speaking to your cosmetic surgeon about this during your consultation. This is the best way to explore all of the options available to you.

Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

Like any operation, you want to be sure you can trust the surgeon who’s handling your procedure. This undoubtedly leads to the question: how do I choose a cosmetic surgeon?

After all, any facelift requires the doctor to understand the sophisticated methodology necessary to pull off a lift procedure. Plus, they need to possess extensive knowledge of facial anatomy.

Unfortunately, not all cosmetic surgeons get taught about facelift procedures as part of their residency training. Therefore, if you’re considering going under the knife, it’s crucial you do your homework before settling on a surgeon. We recommend asking these questions to help you with your research:

Ask any potential surgeons about their training and experience in facial cosmetic surgery. Ask questions regarding their depth of experience, years of great results evidenced by many before and after photographs and patient testimonials. Inquire as to how many facelift procedures they’ve performed.

If they have experience conducting this procedure ask if it’s possible to see a few before and after snaps. This is essential if you wish to evaluate the quality of their work.

You should also make sure the surgeon specifies the gender they’re most familiar working on. This is because the facial anatomy varies massively between the two sexes.

We also urge you to undertake the following tasks:

Read reviews from previous patients.

Don’t limit yourself to one consultation, shop around and book to see a few surgeons before making your final decision.

Try to find out which surgeons, doctors select for their facelifts.

Last but not least, we can’t emphasize enough how important it is to opt for a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. This dramatically increases the chances of hiring the services of a thoroughly trained and experienced surgeon.

How Do I Prepare for My Lift Procedure?

You won’t have to worry about this too much because your plastic surgeon will give you a list of pre-op instructions. This will most likely include all the medications you need to stop taking before your lift procedure.

This is necessary because of certain drugs that thin the blood. This consequently causes more bleeding during surgery- naturally, this could forge a more dangerous situation.

Other practicalities you need to prepare for include; arranging for someone to take you home afterward because you’ll be unable to drive. We also recommend getting a friend or family member to stay with your for at least the first 48 hours after your surgery (in the rare event you experience any complications.

TOP TIP: If you’re worried about the swelling you’ll experience during the aftermath of your lift procedure, try eating a low-salt diet. Previous patients have said this helped them minimize the swelling.

What’s the Recovery Process Like?

You’ll be pleased to hear that despite the complexity of a lift procedure, the recovery time is relatively quick. Typically, most patients are up and running within two weeks of their operation.

However, you’ll have to delay any strenuous exercises for about a month. Please note these time frames are usually shorter if you opt for the mini facelift. You should also be aware that every individual will heal slightly differently, so be sure to listen and follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding your aftercare.

Usually, most patients are primarily concerned with how long it’ll be before their face looks aesthetically presentable. This is certainly understandable because unlike most other operations, you can’t cover up your face as easily as you go about your day!

Naturally, bruising and swelling is completely normal after a lift procedure. These side effects tend to look their worst two days after surgery. After a couple of days pass, the bruising and swelling will gradually cease and will be barely noticeable in around 10 to 14 days.

However, we often find lots of our patients feel comfortable leaving the house after about a week’s worth of recovery. Rest assured, your cosmetic surgeon will be able to advise you on when it’s safe for you to apply makeup to cover up any bruising.

Finally, we just want to mention how important it is to protect your face from the sun, especially after a facelift. This is because your skin is far more susceptible to burning (even after several weeks pass). Plus, keeping away from the sun will help your scars to heal.

We recommend wearing UV-protection sun-glasses, a high-factor sunscreen on your face, and a wide-brimmed hat if you’re planning to venture into the sunshine.

How Long Will the Effects of a Facelift Last?

Unfortunately, no matter how skilled or experienced your surgeon is you won’t be able to eradicate the signs of aging as time goes on completely. However, a good-quality facelift conducted by an industry professional should aim not only to tackle the ‘problems’ you have now but to also adapt as the years progress.

This means that although nothing can stop the natural aging process, a facelift should always make you look years younger (in comparison to if you hadn’t of had the surgery). However, if you want to prolong the effects of your lift procedure you should consider doing the following:

Maintain a healthy weight. This is essential because significant fluctuations in your size can cause your skin to stretch out again. Therefore, increasing the likelihood of your skin to sag.

We also recommend adopting a thorough skincare routine. This is also imperative for keeping your skin healthy and reducing the appearance of aging. If you’re unsure which products to use, we suggest speaking to your surgeon. They’ll be able to steer you in the right direction.

Would You Like More Information About the Facelift Procedure?

If this article has prompted questions about any lift procedure, please feel free to reach out and contact us. Once you’ve filled out the contact form, one of our team of friendly professionals will get in touch with you soon as soon as they can.

Rest assured, no question is too big or too small- so please send in all of your inquiries. Also, if you enjoyed this blog post, we’re confident you’ll love our other articles. Over on our blog, we cover handy hints and tips on everything from cellulite to breast enhancement surgery. Enjoy!

If you’re reading this, then you’ll know that a rhinoplasty is surgeon-speak for a nose job.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in America and rated among the top 6 procedures last year. According to a recent survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 148,143 procedures were performed in 2016.

With nose jobs being so popular, anyone who’s interested will want to do their research. Look through photos to see what surgeons can achieve, and find out what a rhinoplasty is like before, during and after the event, or take a look at this video where Dr. Andrew Miller discusses recovery from a rhinoplasty procedure:

Reality TV would have you believe that rhinoplasties are agony to recover from. We’re here to dispel that myth and give you the lowdown on what to expect during your rhinoplasty recovery. It’s not as bad as you may think!

Why Get One?

While it’s true that many people who opt for a rhinoplasty are unhappy with the appearance of their nose there are some other reasons people might get a nose job.

Rhinoplasties can sometimes correct breathing problems or damage from a trauma to the nose. Others have a birth defect that a rhinoplasty can correct.

Whatever your reasons for having plastic surgery, it’s very important to thoroughly research your chosen procedure. Find out how to prepare, what your surgery involves, what the risks are, and how best to recover afterward.

Remember that there are pros and cons to any surgical procedure. If you have any concerns at all at any stage of the process, always discuss these with your surgeon.

What Happens During a Rhinoplasty?

Every Nose is Different

The rhinoplasty procedure is unique for everyone, as each person’s requirements vary, and every nose is different.

Depending on the individual, you can have either open or closed surgery.

Closed surgery is where the surgeon operates internally, through your nostrils. Or you may have open surgery, through an incision at the base of your nose, with your surgeon readjusting the bone and cartilage that way.

Anesthetic Stops the Pain

You’ll be under general anesthesia where you’re asleep and out for the count.

This means that, during your rhinoplasty, you won’t feel pain while your surgeon works on you.

The type of anesthetic you’ll receive depends on your particular needs and procedure, and also on your surgeon’s preferences. If you have any specific requests, discuss them with your surgeon beforehand.

How Long Does it Take?

A rhinoplasty can take between 1-2 hours if it’s a simple op, though complex surgeries could take up to 4.

The type of anesthetic you have will also impact the procedure length. Local anesthetic means less time as you’re already awake throughout, whereas general anesthetic means they’ll have to monitor you as you come round.

Your surgeon will discuss your options and duration with you during your consultation.

Your Rhinoplasty Recovery

Now, you’ve had your rhinoplasty, and it really didn’t hurt much, which was awesome. So what comes next?

Unfortunately, you’re not going to walk out the door after your op and be able to show off your dream nose straight away.

It’s going to be a bit of a caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation, but those are some of the best kinds, right? Exactly.

Swelling

The first thing you’re going to notice as you start your recovery is that your nose is pretty blocked and swollen. You’ll probably still have in the splints that your surgeon used during the procedure, plus loads of internal packing and dressings.

You know that bunged-up feeling you get when you’re sick and your sinuses are all blocked? That’s sort of what it feels like. It’s not painful, but it is uncomfortable.

You’ll also probably feel like your nose is huge. It’s not, by the way, but the swelling in your nose and face will make you think it is.

At Allure Plastic Surgery, your packing is removed the day after your procedure. Once they’re taken out, the pressure is released and you’ll feel like you’re floating on air, plus you’ll be able to smell stuff again! Splints may stay on until around days 5-7 post-op.

The best way to counter this at first is to lay or sit in your bed, with your nose higher than your chest, for optimal blood flow and minimized swelling and bruising.

During your rhinoplasty recovery, don’t do intensive exercise for 2 weeks after surgery. Things like lifting weights, swimming and running are a no-no. But you can do light walking, though probably just around your house and yard is best in the beginning. Why?

Well, on the street or at the park, think animals, kids, and balls. You don’t want anything to jump at, strike, or fly at your nose before it’s healed. It’ll really hurt, and it can easily shift your stents and delicate nose out of place.

Now you can start to see glimpses of that beautiful nose you’ve been coveting! But once the dressings are off, you’ll notice something else.

Bruising

Just to be clear, the bruising doesn’t hurt. But it might look kind of bad for the first week or so, as it goes from dark purple and begins fading to green, and then yellow.

For some people, the bruising that comes during the recovery phase is barely an issue, though for others it’s downright obvious. Again, it all depends on the person, so it’s a wait-and-see thing.

You might see bruising on your nose and around your eyes, too, from the surgery.

For the first 48 hours, use ice to minimise the bruising and swelling. The discoloration will probably last between 10 days and 2 weeks, but soon it’ll be gone and like it never happened.

You’ll forget all about it as you see the fruits of your labor coming into focus!

Wound Care

This one’s pretty basic: you need to keep your wound clean.

A great way to do this is to soak a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide, and gently apply it to any scabbed blood until the scabs dissolve.

Sounds kind of gross, we know. But it’s really important to make sure you don’t get infections during your rhinoplasty recovery stage, and also so your face and nose feel as comfortable as possible.

This sort of cleaning will only be necessary for up to the first 5 days. After that, the bleeding should stop so you won’t need to worry about it anymore.

Of course, wound care is something you’ll discuss with your surgeon. You won’t be able to shower and wet your face because of the dressings and packing, so make sure you’re armed with all the information you need to keep wounds clean and dry.

Dry Mouth

This is something that isn’t really stressed much, but dry mouth is a thing during recovery. When your nose is totally out of action while the packing’s in and the swelling’s going down, the only thing you can breathe through is your mouth.

Since you’ll be doing a lot with your mouth – eating, breathing, talking – it will get pretty dry. Soft and moist food will definitely help in the beginning, and during the day you can drink lots to counter it.

The time dry mouth is worst is at night.

Again, this is not something that’s painful, it’s just uncomfortable. But if you take the proper steps to reduce it early on, you’ll thank yourself later.

You’ll want to increase the moisture in the air, and a great way to do this is to have a humidifier running through the night while you’re asleep.

During your rhinoplasty recovery, having a jug of water beside you in the night is a necessity. You might find yourself waking up at first, as your body adjusts to this new nightly state, so take sips of water to relieve your dry, scratchy mouth and throat.

Though this isn’t painful, it may be irritating. But you’ll be getting ever-closer to nose perfection, and a dry mouth is going to be so worth it.

Sensitivity

This may sound obvious, but your nose is going to be pretty sensitive for a little while.

During the recovery stage, things will feel uncomfortable and you might be tempted to touch, gently massage, or apply pressure to your nose.

Don’t.

While you may suffer discomfort, contact with your nose is only going to delay the healing process and prolong your recovery time.

It’s easier said than done, but when you feel the urge to prod or poke your nose, go do something to distract yourself. The quicker your recovery period is over, the quicker you’ll see the transformation you’ve been waiting for.

Ongoing Recovery

For those first 5-7 days, your rhinoplasty recovery phase will be limited by the nasal stents and packing. Once those are out, you’ll need to take further steps to aid the healing process.

Be aware that it takes 4-6 weeks for your nasal bones to heal solidly, so you’ll still need to treat your nose with caution.

Moisturize With Saline

The lining of your nose, or the nasa mucosa, will need to heal after your surgery and to do that it needs moisture.

Carry a saline nasal spray with you everywhere, and use it at least 3 times a day, but more if you need to. A saline spray helps to replenish the moisture content of the nasal lining.

Saline also helps to helps to curb swelling, and keep the lingering wounds inside your nose clean, which will speed up the healing process.

The internal scabbing during the recovery stage can take up to a month to heal, so be aware of that and treat your nose accordingly.

Don’t Blow Your Nose

This is going to take a lot of self-control, but don’t blow your nose during your recovery phase.

Many surgeons advise that a gentle nose-blow after 3 weeks is okay, but the emphasis is on the word ‘gentle’.

You’ll often be advised not to put any pressure on the sides of your nose, which can be frustrating, as that means that there won’t be a buildup of pressure inside. And use your saline spray first, to soften up the scabs inside.

Still, it is only for just over a month. Chances are you’ve been waiting for your rhinoplasty result for quite a while, maybe even years, so a month is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Remember that; it’ll help.

Flying

If you’ve had your surgery far away from home, your surgeon will likely advise you that you can fly home after 7-10 days.

By this time, internal and external nasal splints will have been removed, as will the packing. The swelling will mostly have gone down, and any oozing or dripping will have usually stopped within the first couple of days.

Take your saline nasal spray with you on the flight and be sure to use it more than you would on the ground. Most of us get dry noses on a flight, even without a major trauma to them, which is essentially what a rhinoplasty is.

The nasal cavities can dry out on a flight, so keep them moist with lots of saline to combat it and ease discomfort.

It’s good to be aware that flying can induce general swelling in many people, and this can include your nose.

If you find swelling is something you’re prone to, after your initial flight home it may be a good idea to hold off flying for a few months until things have calmed down internally.

The Transformation

Finally.

Your time has finally come.

You’ve been through the surgery, the discomfort, the period of looking like you’ve had a few rounds in the ring with someone a lot bigger and heavier than you. But the day has finally come.

You look in the mirror and see, for the first time, a perfect new nose without any traces of telltale yellow bruising, or the swelling that you thought would never go away.

Like the caterpillar who hid away in his chrysalis for a month and emerged as a beautiful butterfly, your nose has finally undergone its transformation to a thing of beauty on your beaming face.

Talk about a transformation. With your new look and constant smile, your nose won’t be the only thing that’s changed.

Loved this article? Click here to find out the most popular plastic surgery procedure in New York.