Rhinoplasty From a Female's Prespective

Rhinoplasty is a procedure designed to re-shape the nose and in some cases, alter its size. Humps on the front of the nose can be removed, bulbous tips can be re-shaped, and large noses can be made shorter or less projecting. Wide noses can be narrowed. For patients who have disliked the appearance of their nose for years, the results of the procedure can be life-changing. It is important that any potential rhinoplasty patient determine what areas of their nose are most bothersome to them prior to consultation. Dr. Flint feels it is important to assess each patient’s individual goals regarding the outcome of their surgery. She dislikes operated appearing noses and finds a natural result to be most appealing. In her practice, it is definitely not, “one size fits all.”
Rhinoplasty surgery is performed in a surgicenter as an out-patient under general anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of the case, the procedure takes between one and a half and two hours. A small incision is made on the under surface of the nose between the nostrils to allow visualization of the underling bone and cartilage. If obstructed breathing is a problem, the septum inside the nose between the nostrils may also be re-shaped or partially removed. This is called a septoplasty. The sutures are removed one week post-operatively. An external splint is worn for ten days, and then an additional twenty days during sleep. No lifting is allowed for three weeks post-operatively.
Recovery from rhinoplasty is very tolerable and it is very rare for patients to complain of pain. Bruising in the lower eyelid region can last up to ten days. Swelling in the tip resolves over one year, although many positive changes are evident the day the splint is removed. The scar underneath the nose fades beautifully in the vast majority of patients. Tip numbness can persist for some months but is very rarely permanent. Rhinoplasty revisions are required in some patients, although Dr. Flint finds that when expectations are appropriate pre-operatively, revisions are rarely needed.
Approximately twenty percent of patients that request rhinoplasty have retrusive or small chins. These patients can benefit from placement of a chin implant. These implants are made of soft, shaped, solid silicone. They are placed through an incision inside the lower lip. Not all patients who would benefit from a chin implant desire one. Dr. Flint feels this is a very personal decision and leaves the choice up to the patient. After placement, a soft diet is maintained for a week. Bruising is rare and swelling is mild in the vast majority of patients. Complications are not common. Lip numbness can occur but is not common and is temporary. Implant mal-position can occur but is also uncommon. Infection is rare.
As a Scottsdale plastic surgeon Rhinoplasty is one of Dr. Flint’s favorite operations to perform. After evaluating a patient’s face and photos of noses the patient likes, she designs a personalized plan for surgery that allows the patient to obtain the desired result. It is a technically demanding procedure, and that is one of the reasons she enjoys rhinoplasty. She is a trained micro surgeon and enjoys the finesse required to provide excellent rhinoplasty results. If you are considering rhinoplasty, she would like to see you in consultation and start you on the road to obtaining the nasal appearance you desire.

Visit www.pattiflintmd.com to watch videos, view actual patient photo galleries and learn more about one of Scottsdale's most talented plastic surgeons.

Cosmetic Surgery Offers More Options and Choices than Ever

With more surgeries, more procedures, more options and more choices than ever before, cosmetic surgery has a procedure for just about everyone. In 2009, more than 10 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the United States; the most popular surgical procedures were breast augmentation, liposuction and eyelid surgery, and the most common non-surgical treatments were Botox, laser hair removal and hyaluronic acid injections. Cosmetic procedures can be performed in as little as a few minutes in a private office and offer dramatic and lasting changes in a person’s appearance and confidence. For readers in Orange County be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in Orange County before moving forward with any surgical procedures.

Cosmetic surgery can be used to reverse the effects of aging or to improve the appearance of various body parts such as the breasts, stomach and more, depending on an individual’s particular interests. It can also correct congenital defects in the body. Now more than ever, there are more less-invasive options that require less time, less commitment and less cost. In particular, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as the instant liquid face lift, continue to grow in popularity among both women and men in the United States. These procedures have increased in usage in all areas of the country and in people of all backgrounds due to the flexible options.

If you have been considering any cosmetic procedure, you should first request a free consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has extensive experience in the procedures you are most interested in. It is critical to be well-informed about the procedure and to understand any requirements before the surgery as well as realistic expectations for your body after the procedure. When you meet with a cosmetic surgeon, you can ask some questions about benefits, risks, options, costs, where you’ll have the surgery and anything else you are interested in or concerned about.

Before a procedure, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle – to quit smoking, if needed, and to eat well, exercise regularly, get a good night’s sleep and follow any other instructions from your surgeon. Depending on the specific procedure, you may need a ride home and some help with daily activities for a few days; with some procedure, you can return right to work, home life and your regular activities.

Cosmetic surgery can change the shape of one body part, your overall weight and size, or it can take years, wrinkles and lines off of your face. With more choices and options than ever, it makes sense to research and determine the best procedure for you and your body. You can change your life in as little as 15 minutes.

Eyelid Procedures Grow More Popular

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then it makes sense to want eyes that reflect how you feel inside. As we age, the skin around our eyes can droop and sag, and excess skin forms in this area, leading to bags, under-eye circles and excess fat under the eyes. Even great skin care won’t prevent this area from aging and looking tired. Not surprisingly then, cosmetic eyelid procedures, also known as blepharoplasty, represented the third most popular overall cosmetic surgical procedure, the third most common procedure for women, and the most popular cosmetic surgery for Americans ages 51 and older in 2009, according to new statistics recently released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

In 2009, almost 125,000 eyelid surgeries were performed to tighten and tone around the eyes. Americans ages 51 and older had 61 percent of the eyelid procedures performed; women had 83 percent of these surgeries and men had about 17 percent.

The best Chicago Plastic Surgery candidates for an eyelid surgery are both healthy and well-educated about the procedure. Most patients are 35 or older, although genetic factors can spur some younger patients to visit a cosmetic surgeon. Candidates can be excluded from the procedure if they have any of the following: dry eyes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diabetes, glaucoma, Graves' disease or heart disease.

During the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon makes incisions along the creases of the upper eyelid so he or she can remove fat tissue there. The procedure is often performed under local anesthesia.

The surgery corrects issues with the eyes and eyelids, removing excess skin, wrinkles and fat from around the eyes. In some cases, a blepharoplasty can even improve vision by removing the fat and droopiness around the eyes. The procedure itself takes about one to three hours, and can offer dramatic results, a more youthful appearance and more. The results are long-lasting, and patients can return home that day and can generally return to work and other activities within 10 days or less. Many patients have a blepharoplasty along with other procedures, including face lifts, brow lifts or other services that tighten areas around the face.

If you are considering eyelid surgery or another cosmetic surgical procedure, talk to your cosmetic surgeon and ask about education, credentials, training and experience with this particular procedure as well as the type of anesthesia to be used, where the surgery will be performed, typical recovery period, potential risks and any other questions you may have. You should also view some before-and-after photos and testimonials from previous patients.

A cosmetic eyelid procedure can rejuvenate your entire face, takes lines and years off of your face, and allow you to truly show your best face to the world, no matter what your age. Visit www.drdayan.com for more information about how you can lift your spirits with an eyelid procedure.

Breast Implants Pass Liposuction

Surpassing liposuction as the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2008 for the first time, breast implants offer women control over their cup size and placement as well as new curves and more balanced breasts. Also known as breast augmentation or breast enhancement, almost 356,000 breast implant procedures were performed in 2008, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

Size is still the most common reason women elect to have a breast implant procedure, but the surgery is growing in popularity among women who have asymmetrical breasts as well as women who have experienced sagging due to aging or breast feeding. Breast cancer survivors often elect to have a breast augmentation procedure as well. Contact Miami Plastic Surgeon Dr. Salama for more information on how this procedure can help breast cancer survivors.

Likewise, women ages 35 to 50 have the most cosmetic procedures overall (about 45 percent of total procedures), but breast augmentation is growing in popularity among women of all ages, ethnicities, locations and economic situations.

If you are considering a breast enhancement surgery, talk to a board-certified surgeon to learn more about his or her education, training, experience and staff and to ask questions about preparing for the surgery and recovering from it. You should ask to see before-and-after photos as well as testimonials and recommendations from previous clients. Women who are in good health, who generally eat well and exercise regularly tend to be good candidates for the procedure as well as those who have realistic expectations about the surgery.

While saline implants, which are filled with a salt water or saline solution, can be absorbed by the body if they rupture and can also be adjusted for a few months after implantation surgery, they are less smooth and natural-looking, hence the growing popularity of silicone implants. Silicone implants are filled with a gel and were reapproved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005; these implants are smoother and tend to look more natural.

During the procedure, the surgical incision can be placed underneath the breast, around the areola or in the armpit, and the implant can be placed behind the chest muscles or underneath your existing breast tissue. Women who have breast implants report overall satisfaction with the procedure as well as increased self-confidence and self-esteem.

If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your breasts, there are a variety of implant options to consider for women of all ages, shapes and lifestyles. Whether you are looking for just a small increase or a dramatic change in your breast size, a licensed cosmetic surgeon can help you consider your many options for finding your perfect breast size.

Visit www.epsmiami.com for additional information on breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures offered in the Houston area.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) in Arizona

Brachioplasty surgery is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arm. The procedure is sometimes referred to as an arm lift. Many patients who have lost large amounts of weight desire this procedure, but in some patients who have never been heavy, full upper arms is an undesired familial trait. There are different types of arm lifts, and after your Dr. Flint or your Scottsdale plastic surgeon examines you, she will determine which type will accomplish the goals you have.
In a small percentage of patients, the undesired fullness in the upper arms is due to a regional deposit of excess fat, without significant amounts of excess skin. In these patients, liposuction alone may provide an excellent result and only leave very short scars behind. A larger percentage of patients also have excess skin. If the excess skin is confined to the upper third of the arm, near the armpit, the incision can be confined to the armpit. In massive weight loss patients, the excess skin and fatty tissue generally extends from the armpit to the elbow. In these patients, a combination procedure including liposuction, and an incision from the armpit to the elbow is necessary for the best result. The scar runs along the inner surface of the arm so it is not visible with the arms down at the side.
These procedures are performed under general anesthesia and take between one and three hours to complete. The patient is discharged to home ninety minutes after the procedure is completed. Discomfort is generally mild. Compression wraps are worn on the arms for three weeks to minimize swelling. No lifting or exercise is allowed for the first three weeks. Many patients return to work after one week.
Complications of this procedure are uncommon; however patients who smoke are at much higher risk for healing problems. In those who have succeeded at massive weight loss, the skin elasticity is generally poor and occasionally a secondary tightening procedure will need to be done approximately six months after the first to obtain the best result. Bleeding and infection are very rare. Numbness of the upper inner arm may occur but is generally temporary. The upper inner arm can form thick raised scars in a certain number of individuals. Post-operative scar care is important and includes scar massage, and wearing a stick on silicone gel sheeting bandage at night to help the scar fade faster and remain flat.
It is common for patients to combine breast augmentations and lifts with this procedure, especially following massive weight loss, and it is perfectly safe to do so. It is not advisable to combine this procedure with a tummy tuck or thigh lifts, as recovery can be difficult when both the abdomen and arms are sore, or when all four extremities are involved in recovery.
The vast majority of patients that undergo this procedure are exceedingly pleased with their results. Lax upper inner arm skin does not respond to diet or exercise, and this simple procedure can provide much nicer contours in this stubborn area. If you are self-conscious about the appearance of your arms, let Dr. Flint suggest a procedure that will allow you to be less inhibited and have more choices in clothing. The recovery from arm lifting procedures is brief and the results are forever.

Visit www.pattiflintmd.com to learn more about this procedure and other cosmetic procedures offered by Dr. Flint at her Scottsdale and Mesa locations.