“We repair and restore that which Nature has given, but Fortune has taken away. Not so that it pleases the eye of the beholder, but so that it buoyes the spirit of the afflicted.”
-Gaspare Tagliacozzi
Common Facial Plastic Surgeries
The first plastic surgery is thought to have been performed around 800 B.C. in India. Then, caught or suspected adulterers would have their nose amputated. The method of reconstruction involved rotating skin from inside the upper arm to cover the defect. The patient would walk around for weeks with his arm wrapped around his head while the skin healed into place.
As you may imagine, plastic surgery has come a long way since the 800 B.C In fact, in many respects, it is now considered one of the safest and most convenient surgical options for people throughout the nation. Many times, facial plastic surgery can produce lasting and meaningful results with relatively little recovery or discomfort for the patient.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the following procedures are amongst the most common facial plastic surgeries.
Eyelid lift (Blepharoplasty)
Your eyes – or rather the skin around your eyes – are often the first feature to display signs of aging. However, these signs can be reversed through a relatively painless procedure that also allows you to return to your normal routine quickly. Called blepharoplasty, this safe and measured procedure allows a surgeon to remove excess skin and fat from around the eye. This produces a younger, more vibrant appearance.???.
Patients usually recover with the use of over-the-counter pain relievers and 2-3 days of cool compresses. And yet this procedure and recovery often yields amazing results in returning the youth and vigor to what is perhaps your face’s most prized asset.
Facelift (Cheek-Neck lift)
Once an all-encompassing term for any surgery that addressed aspects of the upper, middle, and lower face, the facelift now addresses only the lower face and neck. In fact, more experienced facelift surgeons prefer to use the term cheek-neck lift so that patients understand the specifics of this procedure. .
As you age, soft tissue from your cheeks descends as well as you lose midface bone volume, creating a visible break of the jaw line. Additionally, the amount of fat present below the chin also increases. The combination of these factors, along with increasingly flaccid skin, means that you may lose the crisp contour of your neckline.Fortunately, a meticulous facial plastic surgeon can redefine the contour of the jawline and neckline without over-tightening the skin, thus creating a more natural and youthful appearance.
During this procedure, fat in the face and neck may be sculpted, removed, or redistributed through incisions that are strategically placed to reduce scarring. This procedure results in a tightened jaw and neck as well as smoother skin.
Recovery from this procedure can take days or sometimes weeks, depending upon the extent of the procedure. Fortunately, at Garlich Facial plasstics we utilize the latest recovery practices – including vitamin preparations and special post-op cooling masks – which speeds the recovery process.
Browlift (Forehead lift)
The aging process may see the gradual or severe descent of your eyebrows over the eyes. This is called “brow descent” or “ptosis” and may result in an appearance of scowling, or even a fatigued or severe look. The browlift or forehead lift raises the position of the eyebrows on the face which results in a more youthful, rested appearance.
Following a browlift some patients may experience a slight headache in the first 12-24 hours following surgery. This is typically easily treated with pain relievers. There may also be some swelling and bruising of the brow and upper eyelids for 48-72 hours following surgery. However, after 72 hours, most patients can resume normal daily activities.
Laser skin resurfacing
For wrinkle reduction, a facial plastic surgeon may use a laser to help restore more youthful looking skin on your face. During this procedure the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) is removed which allows the dermis to be stimulated and to form new collagen fibers that assume the orientation of more youthful collagen bundles. As the epidermis heals and regrows the treated area appears smoother and tighter thus reducing wrinkles.
This is a much more comprehensive approach than the lighter chemical peels performed at day spas., These peels do not have the ability to shed a sufficient number of the dead skin cells that accumulate at the epidermis and, thus, they cannot affect the change necessary for true wrinkle reduction.
The entire procedure is performed under a light sedation in order to avoid discomfort. And the recovery process only requires hours, instead of days.
Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
Your nose should be in a harmonious geometric balance your more important facial features, allowing other characteristics, like your eyes, to take prominence. However, there are instances when the shape and size of the nose causes the nose to dominate the face. For those interested in attaining a better facial balance, the Rhinoplasty, accomplishes this goal.
During Rhinoplasty, a skilled surgeon will address your needs and desires in a fashion that appropriately reestablishes your facial balance. The best rhinoplasty surgeons also understand that the nose is not just for appearance. It is a functional and hugely important part of your cardiovascular health. That is why some of the best facial plastic surgeons are also trained otolaryngologists (ENTs – ears, nose, and throat doctors). This combination of training ensures that your surgeon correctly understands the function of the nose in conjunction with the face and breathing process, thus resulting in a rhinoplasty that is not only beautiful but functional as well.
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that typically requires 1-2 hours and is generally performed under sedation anesthesia. There are few limitations for this procedure, however, many leading surgeons do not recommend nose reshaping for someone under the age of 16, as the face may still be growing and developing up until that point.
The procedure produces little to no pain post-op, though there may be bruising and swelling. Bandages are typically removed one week after surgery, and, while subtle changes may take time to occur, major changes will be immediately apparent.
Find the right aesthetic doctor today
Dr. Paul Garlich – the only board certified, fellowship trained facial plastic surgeon in Braselton and Gainesville, GA, and his staff want you to understand that the truest definition of face value is the knowledge that your face serves as a window into your healthy self. So, if you are considering any facial surgical procedures, please contact us today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. We are here to help you magnify the inner beauty you feel.
Contact us today to learn more, 678-343-2190. We are delighted to see you in either our Gainesville or Braselton office.