An Overview of Rhinoplasty Recovery

Rhinoplasty can enhance the appearance of the nose and resolve any breathing issues due to obstruction. Knowing what the recovery process is like enables patients to plan ahead for this procedure.

Immediate Recovery

Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes can be significant during the first couple of days after surgery. Physicians often recommend keeping the head elevated for the first few days and using cold compresses to help reduce pain and swelling.

Some degree of pain is expected. Many manage it with over-the-counter medications, while others need a prescription pain-reliever. Grogginess can be an issue, especially when taking strong medications.

Congestion is a common complaint, and drainage from the nostrils is also expected.

The Second Week

By about two weeks after the operation, the swelling and bruising should be gone. Sutures dissolve during this period, and most people feel comfortable resuming all normal activities.

Patients who do not wish to draw attention to the rhinoplasty often opt to take about two weeks off work to hide the most obvious signs of surgery.

Five Facelifts to Consider

Facelifts can help provide a more youthful, fresh look. While this procedure was once one-size-fits-all, today's cosmetic surgery patients can choose from several facelift options tailored to their surgical preferences and desired outcomes.

Deep Plane Lift

This is the most extensive type of facelift, in which the surgeon repositions the skin's superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in a position that releases lines and wrinkles and provides a more relaxed, rested appearance. The deep plane lift provides the longest lasting effects and rarely needs revision.

SMAS Lift

An SMAS lift affects the top layers of skin and deeper tissues of the face. This facelift is a good choice for those bothered by sagging cheeks and jowls.

Short Scar Lifts

These facelifts are designed for middle-aged individuals who have some excess skin and are concerned about scarring. Unlike other types of facelifts, short scar lifts do not extend beyond the ear and are ideal for patients with no visible signs of aging on their neck.

Endoscopic Facelifts

This minimally invasive procedure is effective for those who have sagging cheeks. This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Midface Lift

This targeted lift raises the middle third of the face and is often done in conjunction with eyelid surgery for a completely refreshed look with little downtime.

Those considering cosmetic surgery can talk further with their doctor about the risks and benefits of each of these procedures.

Chemical Peels: Which One to Choose

Human skin is very sensitive, and over time, it begins to show signs of deterioration due to aging, prolonged sun exposure, and environmental and health-related factors. Good self-administered skin care programs can go a long way toward improving the skin's appearance, but chemical peels offer more dramatic results. They can also be great alternatives to more intensive treatments, such as laser therapy.

There are three main levels, or grades, of chemical peels available. The following guide will give an overview of what to expect with each type of peel, including results, side effects, and downtime.

Low-Grade, Superficial Peels 

Using glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or light TCA (trichloroacetic acid) to target the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis), these lowest-level peels remove the surface-level dead cell layers to give the face, neck, or chest a freshened look.

Ideal for patients seeking a milder treatment, superficial peels immediately cause only slight skin redness and flaking, similar to a sunburn. Downtime is short, only a few days, but all post-procedure skin care instructions should be followed to ensure proper healing.

Medium-Grade Peels

As the name suggests, medium-grade chemical peels go a bit deeper than superficial peels, penetrating the mid-dermis to impart more dramatic effects on the skin. These peels usually use TCA and are ideal for patients looking to improve the skin's tone, texture, and color, and to remove wrinkles.

As these peels are more intensive than lower-grade ones, patients can expect mild skin swelling, redness, scabbing, and peeling immediately following treatment. Healing time will be a bit longer as well—at least five days to a full week.

High-Grade, Deep Peels

Ideal for patients with deep, coarse wrinkles and very visible skin imperfections, these intense chemical peels use phenol-based techniques to penetrate the reticular, or deep, dermis to achieve the most dramatic tone, texture, and color results, as well as maximum skin-tightening effects.

Patients should expect a healing period of a week to 10 days, or more. Deep peels cause more intense swelling, redness, and scabbing than other peels, so additional skin care will be necessary afterward. Pain medication may also be prescribed following treatment.

Patients considering a chemical peel treatment should consult all available patient resources, as well as a physician, to discuss what to expect. After recovery is complete, the skin should look and feel fresher, younger, and smoother than before.

Am I Ready? What to Consider Before Getting Facial Plastic Surgery

Because the effects of surgery on the face are so immediately visible to others, and because procedures often come with risks or limitations, there are important factors to consider long before going under the knife.

While patients have numerous resources available to guide them through the before, during, and after of surgery, there are questions they can ask themselves and their doctors before deciding to go ahead with a procedure.

Are My Expectations Realistic? 

One of the biggest misconceptions patients have about getting facial plastic surgery is that one procedure will make their face perfect, and that they will never be unsatisfied with their appearance again. It's critical that rather than aiming for perfection, patients go into surgery expecting improvement.

Additionally, patients should be prepared for the bruising, soreness, and swelling that immediately follow surgery, as well as for any necessary follow-up care—healing properly means a few weeks of avoiding direct sunlight and strenuous activity, and eating softer foods.

What's the Cost?

It's also important to consider the expenses that come with surgery, as medical insurances often don't cover elective cosmetic procedures. Whether a patient is interested in more minimally invasive treatments like injectable fillers, or full face and neck procedures like rhinoplasty, lifts, and liposuction, surgery can be a significant investment, making the decision of whether to go ahead with a procedure all the more important.

What are the Risks?

As with any surgery, facial procedures come with risks. Patients could experience reactions to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, infection at the surgery site, or improper healing resulting in scarring. Disclosing one's medical history with the doctor, avoiding smoking up to a month before and after surgery, and following all post-op recovery instructions are the best ways to avoid problems.

Talking with a Surgeon

One of the best ways for a potential patient to become more knowledgeable about surgery is to consult directly with the plastic surgeon.

There are crucial questions a surgeon can answer, such as which treatments are available for a desired result, what the success rate of a certain procedure is, what kinds of costs and risks are involved, and how long the recovery process will be. Surgeons can also review before and after photos and explain what a procedure entails.

The decision to undergo facial plastic surgery should not be taken lightly no matter how prepared or knowledgeable a patient feels going in. The best way to be sure surgery is the best way forward is to contact a surgery center to schedule a consultation.

What in the Heck Is a Neck Lift?

A surgical neck lift can reduce signs of aging by removing extra skin around the neck or jawline. This excess skin can be caused by hereditary factors, medical issues, or the natural aging process.

Good Candidates

While most people are good candidates for neck lift surgery, there are some limitations. Those with circulatory problems or other medical issues that delay healing should inform their surgeon before the procedure. Smoking and certain medications may have to be stopped prior to surgery. Perhaps the most important element is the patient’s expectations; they must be realistic. This neck lift procedure does not alter one's overall appearance, and it does not stop the process of aging.

Those who benefit the most are patients looking to correct excess fatty deposits, loose skin, or jowls. The surgery can also correct a sagging platysma muscle, commonly known as "turkey neck."

The Process

The first step is the consultation. The plastic surgeon will examine the patient, review their medical records, and recommend the appropriate course of treatment.

There are two variations of neck lift surgery. One is the traditional method, in which the incision extends around the hairline from the sideburn area to the nape of the neck. The other is a limited method, in which the surgical route is restricted to around the ears. The results of a limited procedure may not be as dramatic as those of a traditional procedure.

Both neck lift methods include redistributing or removing fat and repositioning the skin to restore a more youthful appearance. The incisions are closed with either sutures or glue, and the minimal scars are well hidden from sight.

A neck lift is a surgical procedure and may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient clinic, or an approved surgical office.