What is aesthetic plastic surgery? How is it different from other types of surgeries ?

Aesthetic plastic surgery is derived from the words ,”aesthetic” meaning beauty or appreciation of beauty and the Greek word “plastikos” means to mould or shape .it defers from other surgeries in that it is an amalgamation of science and art . In addition to restoring form and function when a sense of beauty is incorporated then ones appearance and self esteem will be improved .

What is the scope of aesthetic plastic surgery ?

Basically there are three main divisions of aesthetic plastic surgery

  • Aesthetic plastic surgery of the face
  • Aesthetic plastic surgery of the breast
  • Aesthetic plastic surgery for body contouring

What are the procedures in each division?

Aesthetic plastic surgery of the face

  • Browlift
  • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid rejuvenation)
  • Rhinoplasty (Nasal cosmetic procedure)
  • Facelift and Necklift
  • Midface Lift (Rejuvenation of the lower lid/cheek junction)
  • Otoplasty (Procedures to reposition protruding ears)
  • Alloplastic augmentation (facial implants designed to enhance facial volume)
  • Fat graft

Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Procedures of the breast

  • Augmentation Mammoplasty (Breast enlargement)
  • Mastopexy (Breast lift often combined with Breast Augmentation)
  • Reduction Mammoplasty (Reduce the size of the breast often for functional as well as aesthetic improvement)

Common Questions on some of our Procedures

Abdominoplasty

The excess skin and fat are removed surgically from the abdominal area. Depending on the needs of the patient, the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened. The incision is a half moon shape (length dependant on the mass of skin and fat to be removed), and is usually made directly under the overhanging skin.

The procedure takes 2-4 hours and is done under General anaesthesia . You will be admitted for a day or two .Side effects include Temporary discomfort, post-operative swelling, soreness or tenderness in the surrounding areas, numbness of abdominal skin and bruising .Risks are usually minor in nature like Infection, bleeding under the skin flap or at the incision site, pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lung), scarring (keloids), delayed healing, or the need for a second redo operation .The patient may return to work within two to four weeks. The results are usually permanent.

Breast Augmentation

Improves the size and appearance of the breasts by implanting saline or silicone implants if applicable (the use of gel-filled implants may be government regulated) either under or over the chest muscle, thus producing a cosmetic enhancement.

The surgery duration is usually up to 2 hours . Hospital stay one day .return to activity 2-3 days .side effects include Mild, temporary discomfort, mild to moderate swelling, a change in nipple sensation (either more or less), and temporary bruising. Breasts may be sensitive to stimulation for a few weeks.

Male breast reduction (Gynaecomastia)

Reduces enlarged, female-like breasts in men using liposuction and/or surgically removing excess glandular tissue.

Duration of surgery – 2-3 hours

Hospital Stay – one day

Side effects – Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, and/or a burning sensation are possible

Risks – Infection, fluid build-up, injury to the skin, rippling or looseness of the skin, asymmetry, pigmentation changes, excessive scarring if tissue was cut away, loss of nipple sensation, contour irregularities and in some instances the need for a second procedure to remove additional tissue is required.

Recovery – The patient may go back to work after seven days. More strenuous activity may be resumed after two to three weeks. Most of the swelling and bruising will disappear after three to six months

Nose Surgery

Procedure – Reshapes the nose by reducing or increasing the size, removing humps, changing the shape of tip or bridge, narrowing the span of the nostrils, or changing the angle between the nose and upper lip. This procedure may also relieve some breathing difficulties when combined with surgery performed on the nasal septum.

Duration of surgery – up to 3 hours

Hospital stay – one day

Side effects  – Temporary swelling, bruising around the eyes, and/or nose and some bleeding and nasal stuffiness.

Risks – Infection, persistent swelling, persistent dry eyes, permanent muscle weakness or areas of permanent numbness are possible.

Recovery – The patient may go back to work after one week. More strenuous activities may be resumed after two to three weeks. The patient should avoid any activity that could impact on the nose or becoming sunburned for at least eight weeks. The use of a sunblock that provides both UVA and UVB protection is useful. The final results may take up to one year and sometimes longer to achieve. (Why longer? The nose seems to be the part of the body that takes the longest to completely assume the final appearance after cosmetic plastic surgical procedures. This is related to the time required for reestablishment of lymphatic drainage pathways which are responsible for the resolution of swelling)

Liposuction

Procedure – Improves body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and a vacuum device. This procedure can be performed using the tumescent or the super-wet techniques. Liposuction techniques typically are performed after targeted fat cells are infused with a saline solution containing a local anaesthetic and adrenalin to decrease blood loss, allow an easier removal of the fat, as well as diminish postoperative discomfort. This also reduces post-operative bruising and swelling. The most common locations for liposuction are: chin, cheeks, neck, and upper arms, the area above the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.

There are two types of techniques commonly used: the “Traditional Technique” and the “Ultrasonic Technique (UA)”. The Traditional Technique utilizes a hollow tube to remove the fat and the Ultrasonic Technique utilizes ultrasonic energy to dissolve that fat before it is removed.

Duration – 2-3 hours depending on the numbers of areas targeted

Side effects – Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness or burning sensations.

Risks – Infection, asymmetry, rippling of the skin, pigmentation changes (hypo/hyper), injury to the skin, fluid retention and/or excessive loss of blood and fluids.

Recovery – The patient usually returns to work after five to fourteen days. More strenuous activity may be resumed after two to four weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising may take one to six months depending upon the amount of fat that is removed and the areas that were treated.