Common Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

An overview of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures used to achieve facial rejuvenation.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

Today’s facial plastic surgery options range from minimally invasive office procedures to complete surgical makeovers. Facial plastic surgery is also often used in conjunction with non-surgical rejuvenation procedures such as Botox or laser therapy.

The exact course of treatment for facial rejuvenation will be custom tailored to fit the patient’s desired outcome plus several other factors including the recovery time involved and the patient’s health history.

Facial plastic surgery (or cosmetic surgery) is different from general plastic surgery in that the surgeon’s training is devoted to the face, head and neck – rather than plastic surgery procedures for the body.

This means that facial plastic surgeons will generally have the greatest amount of experience in performing the facial plastic surgery procedures you desire.

Facelift

A facelift is a facial plastic surgery service that restores the contours of the face and neck that begin to sag as we age – such as a sagging jaw line, double chin or jowls.

A facelift is appropriate for significant amounts of aging and redundant skin as this procedure tightens the deep muscles of the face to restore the patient’s youthful contours.

Other procedures may also be used in conjunction with a face lift such as liposuction of the neck or laser skin resurfacing.

Because a facelift is a surgical procedure, it may entail significant recovery time; everyone heals differently but in general the recovery time is around 10-14 days for most of the swelling and bruising to resolve.

Depending on the complexity of the facelift it may be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.

• Approximate 10-14 days recovery time
• Local or general anesthesia
• Appropriate for significant amounts of aging and redundant skin

Minilift

For patients looking for a more subtle change with a shorter recovery time, a mini-lift may be a better option. A mini-lift is similar to a facelift – it is used to restore the contours of the face and neck – however it is a minimally invasive surgical procedure and the incisions generally do not enter the hairline.

This procedure is appropriate for patients who have minimal to moderate signs of aging and redundant skin.

Because the incisions and operative time are shorter than a facelift the recovery time is generally less than a facelift.

• Less recovery time than a full facelift
• Minimally invasive
• Appropriate for minimal to moderate signs of aging and redundant skin

Brow-lift

A brow-lift is used to restore the youthful position of the eyebrows – correcting any sagging in the area as the result of age.

A brow-lift is performed endoscopically with tiny incisions behind the hairline, under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.

Most of the swelling and bruising from a brow-lift resolves in 7-14 days.

• Approximate 7-14 day recovery time
• Endoscopic procedure
• Local or general anesthesia
• Used to correct sagging brows as a result of age

Eyelid Lift

An eyelid lift is a facial plastic surgery procedure often performed in conjunction with a brow-lift to restore the skin around the patient’s eyes; improving sagging skin or fat deposits that may give the patient a tired or sad look.

The incisions are hidden in the natural creases of the eyelid or inside the eyelid. An eyelid lift can be performed under any kind of anesthesia depending on the patient’s preference.

• Approximate 7-14 day recovery time
• Hidden incisions
• Local or general anesthesia
• Used to correct sagging eyelids and fat deposits as a result of age

Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty is a facial plastic surgery procedure used to reshape or restructure the nose – to bring it into balance with the rest of the face, give a natural appearance, and to maintain or improve breathing.

Rhinoplasty can be performed with all the incisions inside the nose or a tiny incision at the bottom of the nose.

Health insurance will often cover part of the cost of rhinoplasty if it is used to improve the patient’s breathing or repair damage.

• Approximate 14 day recovery time
• Typically under general anesthesia
• Used to correct the shape or structure of the nose