Over 13.1 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This is a 5% increase from 2009.

Depending upon what is most appropriate for your particular situation, the surgeon will decide what type of anesthesia to use. He or she will answer any questions you have.

Yes, tumescent liposuction, a new technique that results in less bruising, less swelling and a quicker recovery than older traditional methods of liposuction, is routinely performed at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center.

Tumescent liposuction uses a large volume of dilute epinephrine to cause intense constriction of the small blood vessels, which leads to less bleeding, less bruising and less swelling.

It depends upon the patient’s disease and current medications. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your specific situation.

A few patients notice small change in their voice after rhinoplasty but this is uncommon. Professionals who rely on their voice, such as singers, should share any concerns with their surgeon, however, because the nose does play a role in how we sound.

The decision is based on a number of factors, including the patient’s desires, reasons for the surgery and overall health.

For example, are you doing it because you feel your breasts are too small relative to your body contour or are you unhappy with the size and firmness of your breasts following pregnancy, breastfeeding or major weight loss? Unevenness between the breasts can also be a motivating factor. Your surgeon can help you make the right decision during your pre-surgical appointments.

Each patient tolerates pain after surgery in different ways. Your surgeon will prescribe the appropriate pain medications to help minimize any discomfort. In general, most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post-operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles-such as an abdominoplasty or breast augmentation can cause discomfort equal to a C-section.

There are commonly performed cosmetic procedures for virtually every part of the face, including the neck, nose, eyes, ears chin, cheekbones, forehead, as well as the breasts and abdomen. Additionally, scar revision and liposuction surgeries are potentially possible on most areas of the body.

On an average, most surgeries take 2-3 hours in the operating room, with the most extensive of multiple procedures lasting several hours. Additional time is often required for preparation before, and rest & recovery time after the surgery itself, particularly when sedation or a general anesthetic is administered.

All surgeries entail risks, such as bleeding, possible infection, etc. Please see the information on the specific surgery, or consult with a qualified surgeon for more detailed information.

Among the most frequently performed surgeries are: breast augmentation surgery, rhinoplasty, facelift and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).

In general, if it is cosmetic, your medical insurance will not cover the surgery or treatment. (See the questions regarding the difference between ‘plastic’ and ‘reconstructive’ surgeries for more on this topic).

Typically, the difference exists in the purpose of surgery. Cosmetic surgery is performed with the primary goal of improving one’s appearance. Reconstructive surgery is performed to improve personal health, body function or alleviate disease and is often considered medically necessary.

Most reconstructive surgery procedures require one to two weeks for healing . However, recovery time also depends on the patient and specific reconstructive surgery performed. Some patients are able to return to a normal routine immediately after a reconstructive surgery procedure, while others require several weeks to retain a normal level of functioning. In some cases, the final results are not clears for months.

The line between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery can sometimes be blurred. Generally, reconstructive surgery improves both appearance and health. Some examples of reconstructive surgery include:

• Tumor Removal
• Laceration Repair
• Scar Revision
• Hand Surgery
• Breast Reduction
• Breast Reconstruction (Following surgical breast cancer treatment)
• Burn Care – Reconstructive Rhinoplasty (to improve nose air flow)
• Eyelid Surgery (to improve field of vision)

That is not true. Healing of any wound is with scar tissue. But a Plastic Surgeon takes extreme care to get a least visible scar by placing the incision in the natural creases of the body. You must realize that the scars are permanent and it will take three months to one year to mature & look their best.

In addition to Cosmetic surgery, Plastic Surgeons are the best doctors to manage burns, facial injuries and hand injuries, open fractures of leg & hand, defects after excision of parts having cancer, congenital defects like cleft lip, deformities of ear, hypospadias, fused fingers, abdominal hernias, skin tumours , chronic wounds & diabetic ulcers in the foot,etc.

During the consultation for a body lift, Dr. Lyon will go over your complete medical history, take the time to understand your goals, and answer all of your questions. You will see pre-op and post-op photos of previous body lift patients. Dr. Lyon will discuss reasonable and expected outcomes, and explain the details of the procedure including the technique, the recovery, the risks, the costs, and financing options.