Information Provided
By Lifestyle Lift
What is cosmetic plastic surgery about?
Surgical techniques used in plastic surgery:
Depending on the location, structures and outcome desired, there are a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, including:
- Endoscopic surgery
An endoscope is a minimally invasive device used to help the surgeon “see” into wherever it has been inserted during surgical procedures.
Endoscopic surgery is performed with an endoscope or a tubular probe that has a tiny camera and a bright light, which is inserted into a small incision. Images from the camera are transmitted back to a screen, which the surgeon watches while manipulating the endoscope inside the body.
Instruments to actually perform the surgery are inserted through different incisions.
- Flap surgery
Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another, often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement and/or skeletal support.
Several different types of flap surgery methods may be utilized, depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired.
They include:
A Local Flap is located next to the wound; the skin remains attached at one end in order to leave the blood supply intact.
A Regional Flap uses a section of tissue that is attached by a specific blood vessel.
A Bone/Soft Tissue Flap is often used when bone and the overlying skin are transported to a new location.
A Musculocutaneous Flap (Muscle and Skin Flap) is often used when the area to be covered needs more bulk and an increased blood supply. This type of flap is often used to rebuild a breast following a mastectomy.
A Microvascular Free Flap involves detaching and reattaching skin and blood vessels from one site of the body to another site. Microsurgery is then used to attach the blood vessels.
- Laser technology
There are many different types of lasers that may be utilized, depending upon the purpose and location of the surgery to be performed. Laser surgery involves using an intense, narrow beam of light instead of a scalpel. Lasers used in plastic surgery often provide for minimal bleeding, bruising and scarring.
Lifestyle Lift now offers Fractional Laser Skin Treatment at select centers to help treat fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations due to sun damage, as well as acne scars. Fractional lasers treat just a fraction of the skin’s surface, leaving healthy tissue to assist in the rapid healing process.
Consult your plastic surgeon to determine if and what type of laser surgery is most appropriate for you.
- Skin grafts
A skin graft may be used to cover skin that has been damaged or is missing. This surgical procedure involves removing healthy portions of skin from one part of the body to restore normal appearance and/or function to another portion of the same body.
The location where skin is removed is called the donor site. There are three different types of skin grafts that may be utilized, depending upon the size and location of needed skin. These include:
-
Split-Thickness Skin Graft
- commonly used to treat wounds from burns
- uses only the layers of skin closest to the surface
- donor site will be chosen based on size, type and pigment of skin needed
- Full-thickness skin graft
- used to treat deep and large wounds or scars
- used when maximum skin elasticity is needed
- uses all layers (not just the surface layer) of skin from the donor site
Composite Skin Graft
- provides the repaired skin with the most underlying support
- involves lifting all layers of skin, fat and sometimes the underlying cartilage from the donor site
- Tissue expansion
A tissue expansion is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a balloon-like device (called an expander) under the skin. The expander then slowly secretes liquid into the area to be repaired to actually stretch and expand the skin. This serves the function of “growing” extra skin to repair nearby lost or damaged skin.
Preparing for surgery:
As with any type of surgery, there are certain preparations you need to take prior to surgery. Determining which preparations will depend on what type of surgery you’re having and which type of anesthesia will be administered.
The following are considerations for you to discuss with your physician/surgeon prior to your procedure:
- Ask the surgeon to explain the benefits, risks and anticipated outcomes of the procedure.
- Discuss what type of anesthesia will be administered and the expected recovery time.
- Inform your physician of any medications (over-the-counter or prescription) you are currently taking, as well as any prior procedures, history of chronic illnesses, and/or allergies you may have.
- Be sure to stop drinking and eating for the recommended time period before and/or after surgery.
- Closely follow any specific pre-operative bathing, shaving or cleaning instructions.
- Discuss any post-operative instructions you need to follow (like changing dressings, post-op medications, follow-up appointments and so on).
- Do not wear makeup or nail polish the day of your procedure.
- Do not wear contacts the day of surgery; wear your glasses.
- Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Advise the medical staff of dentures or other prosthetic devices you may be wearing.
- Be sure to arrange all insurance coverage prior to surgery. Remember that many insurance carriers do not cover many types of plastic surgery procedures and particularly cosmetic procedures.