Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: Operations & Procedures

Abdominoplasty

Also known as a “tummy-tuck”. Surgical removal of excess skin and fat of the abdominal area can produce a flatter abdomen and a smaller waistline. This is an in-patient hospital procedure which takes from 2 to 6 hours under general anesthesia. Patient stays in the hospital from 5 to 7 days.

ABDOMINAL LIPOSUCTION (Liposculpture)

The surgical suctioning or vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. It is an excellent method of spot reduction for the abdomen and waist. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 6 hours, under local tumescent anesthesia, with or without sedation.

ACNE SCAR REMOVAL

Acne scars can be made less noticeable by chemical peeling or dermabrasion, depending on the extent of scarring. Mild scarring can be treated with a chemical solution applied to the skin. The old skin peels off and new, regenerated skin is usually smoother than the old skin.

Dermabrasion, a surgical procedure which involves sanding the scarred areas with a hand held tool, can correct deeper scars. In this procedure, the first few layers of skin are sanded off, resulting in the eventual growth of a new layer of smooth skin.

ALAR PLASTY

This surgery of the nose narrows the wide flaring and large opening of the nasal nostrils. This may be done alone or in combination with augmentation rhinoplasty. This procedure takes around an hour or two to perform, and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

APTOS® THREAD LIFT (Feather Lift)

This is a non-surgical approach to facial lifting. This alternative procedure is ideal for patients who would like a more conservative and minimally invasive procedure to rejuvenate the face. It has a shorter recovery period and facial swelling usually subsides within a week, as compared to 3 weeks for the usual facelift surgery.

ARM LIFTS (Brachioplasty)

Arm reduction surgery can remove excess fat, lift the skin, and tighten the arms, resulting in smaller circumference of the upper arms. Depending on the amount of extra skin and how loose the supporting tissues have become, extra skin is removed from incisions down the inside of the arm or within the armpit.

ARM LIPOSUCTION

Patients who want smaller arms may have liposuction of the arms if the skin has good elasticity. However, liposuction can result in unsightly, loose skin if patients are not evaluated properly.

BLEPHAROPLASTY (Eyelid surgery)

Blepharoplasty is a series of various operations for reshaping the eyelids for both cosmetic and functional problems (to imrpove vision problems). This involves the removal of excess skin, fat and muscle from around the eyes to correct droopy upper eyelids, protruding eyebags of the lower eyelids, or to create an upper eyelid fold (to westernize slit eyes). It can be performed on the upper lids and lower lids, at the same time or separately. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and it takes around 30 to 45 minutes per eyelid surgery, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

BOTOX INJECTIONS TREATMENT

Can be used for a variety of conditions such as crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, jaw muscle hypertrophy, excessive armpit sweating, and calf muscle hypertrophy.

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Women may have their breast size increased by undergoing this procedure which involves placing a soft breast implant containing either silicone gel or saline (salt-water) solution underneath the normal breast. This procedure can be done either on an outpatient basis or with hospital confinement, depending on the patient’s preference. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under local anesthesia with sedation.

BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL / REVISION

This procedure is performed for patients who decide to have breast implants removed or to change the size of implants initially placed. It is also performed when there are complications from breast augmentation surgery such as capsular contracture and implant rupture.

BREAST MASTOPEXY (Breast Lift)

Women with sagging breasts can have their breasts lifted to their previous position. Mastopexy involves the excision of sagging breast skin. This procedure can be done either on an outpatient basis or with hospital confinement, depending on the patient’s preference. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under local anesthesia with sedation.

BREAST NIPPLE REDUCTION

Nipple reduction is used to either reshape nipples that are too long or to reduce the areola. This procedure involves small incisions to remove the excess and results in smaller, more natural and youthful appearing nipples.

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Women with breast cancer who have had their breast(s) removed can have new breasts reconstructed. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under general anesthesia, with patient confined for a few days in the hospital.

BREAST REDUCTION: Female

This procedure involves the excision of breast tissue and skin to reduce the size of a woman’s breasts. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under general anesthesia, with patient confined for a few days in the hospital.

BREAST REDUCTION: Male

This procedure to correct abnormally large breasts in males (gynecomastia) may be done by liposuction of breast tissue or by excision of breast tissue and skin to reduce the size of a man’s breasts. The length of the operation varies from 1 to 2 hours, usually on an outpatient basis.

BROWLIFT

Eyebrows that are sagging can be lifted up to their previous youthful position. This procedure takes around 1-2 hours to perform, and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

BUCCAL FAT EXTRACTION

This procedure is often sought to remedy “chipmunk cheeks” and a plump or round-faced appearance. Usually done as an outpatient procedure, buccal fat extraction is carried out by making a very tiny incision inside the mouth. Fat is then removed through this tiny opening, resulting in a more oval face. This procedure is not recommended for younger patients since when natural fat loss occurs with aging, the face will look gaunt and haggard if too much fat was removed.

BUTTOCKS AUGMENTATION

This procedure is popular for patients wanting rounder, more firmly shaped buttocks. It involves surgically augmenting the buttocks with a silicone gel buttocks implant. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and the patient is advised to be confined in the hospital for 3 to 5 days.

BUTTOCKS LIFT SURGERY

This is a procedure which tightens the skin of the buttock area. It removes excess, sagging buttock and thigh skin that has developed as a result of weight loss, aging and gravity, or genetics and results in an improved, more flattering and toned butt and thigh contour. The incision for the procedure is placed very low on the back, just above the buttocks. The procedure can be performed alone or in combination with other operations such as a thigh lift and abdominoplasty.

CALF AUGMENTATION

A procedure for patients who want to improve the shape of their legs, increase the size of the calves, enhance the muscle and add definition. Many men pursue calf augmentation to bulk up the appearance of the calf muscles, while women usually want to enhance the curves in the lower leg. Generally, calf augmentation patients are looking for lower legs that are in better balance when compared to the rest of the body, especially the thighs. This procedure is usually done on as an outpatient procedure, taking about an hour to perform. Implants are inserted through a tiny incision behind the knee.

CHEEK AUGMENTATION (Implants)

A procedure used to resculpt the face and provide new facial contours for patients who want the high, prominent cheekbones that are frequently associated with beauty. Cheek implants can balance the facial structure by correcting a deficient cheek area due to heredity, age-related bone resorption or facial trauma.

Cheek Augmentation is most frequently done by placing a small implant over the area of the cheek that would benefit from enhancement. The incisions used are frequently placed inside the mouth to leave no visible scars.

CHEMICAL PEEL

This procedure can effectively improve a wide variety of skin conditions including fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, freckles, unsightly blemishes, uneven pigmentation, shallow acne scars, and sun-damaged skin. Although it cannot remove all facial flaws, it usually results in a smoother, younger, tighter, fresher and more even toned textured skin. Deeper lines, wrinkles, scars and other flaws may require additional treatments or techniques.

CHIN AUGMENTATION (Implants)

A procedure used to correct a weak chin due to heredity, age-related bone resorption or facial trauma, resulting in better balance of the facial structure and a more attractive look. A weak chin can make the nose appear larger and may also give the appearance of a ‘fleshy’ neck.

Chin Augmentation is most frequently done by placing a small implant over the area of the chin that would benefit from enhancement. An outpatient procedure, the incisions used are frequently placed inside the mouth to leave no visible scars.

CLEFT CHIN CREATION

DERMABRASION

This surgical procedure is used to improve the appearance of acne scarred skin. It involves sanding off the first few layers of skin with a hand held tool, resulting in the eventual growth of a new layer of smooth skin. It usually takes around one hour to perform, usually done as an outpatient procedure.

DIMPLE CREATION

The surgical procedure used to create dimples is, in itself, a fairly simple one and is commonly done on an outpatient basis. The procedure involves simulating the natural way a dimple is formed, by forming a connection between the skin and the cheek muscle, such that when the muscle contracts, it pulls the skin inwards to form a dimple.

EAR SURGERY (Otoplasty)

Includes surgery to refine or reshape deformed ears, pin back protruding ears, or correct the size or placement of ears to make the ears more proportional to the size and shape of the head and face. Generally performed on children ages of 4-14, otoplasty can prevent adolescent ridicule.

For ear pinning, an incision is made behind the ear, in the fold where it joins to the head. It usually involves the removal of cartilage and skin. Most of the time this is an outpatient operation.

FAT INJECTIONS

FOREHEAD LIFT

Forehead skin that has wrinkled and sagged may be lifted to restore youthful appearance. This procedure takes around 1-2 hours to perform, and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

LIPOSUCTION

The surgical suctioning or vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. It is used to reduce fullness in any area of the body. It is an excellent method of spot reduction but is not an effective method of weight loss. Liposuction may be used for contouring any of the following areas: cheeks, jowls and neck; upper arms; breast or chest areas; abdomen and waist; hips and buttocks; inner and outer thighs; inner knees; calves and ankles. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under local tumescent anesthesia, with or without sedation.

LPG ENDERMOLOGIE (Cellulite Treatment)

One of the newest non-invasive treatments for cellulite, the LPG Endermologie treatment is an FDA approved treatment which originated in Europe. This non surgical, painless process is used to reshape and contour the areas in the body which are resistant to diet and exercise such as the hips, thighs, and buttocks. It helps to eliminate cellulite and improve skin tone.

MESOTHERAPY

Mesotherapy is a noninvasive procedure that involves injecting a variety of medications, vitamins, anti-oxidants, plant extracts, and other substances which are absorbed by the mesodermal, or middle layer. These formulas have been known to be helpful for spot weight reduction, cellulite reduction and for improving skin tone and decreasing wrinkles when given repeatedly over a period of time.

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MOLE REMOVAL

Patients may want to remove their moles for a variety of reasons such as concerns about the cosmetic appearance of certain moles, concern about the possibility of cancer and repeated irritation by activities such as shaving or rubbing on clothing.

Moles can either be shaved off of the surrounding skin, excised with the underlying and surrounding skin and then stitched or excised with cauterization. For best results, treatment should be individualized and method chosen depends on the appearance and depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired.

NASAL BRIDGE AUGMENTATION

The most common type of cosmetic nasal operation done in Filipinos is augmentation rhinoplasty. This involves placing either a bone graft, cartilage graft or silicone implant to increase the height of the nasal bridge, which is commonly quite low in Filipinos as compared to the American or European nose. This procedure takes around an hour or two to perform, and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

NASAL TIP AUGMENTATION

Operation done to produce a higher and more pointed nasal tip. This procedure takes around an hour or two to perform, and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

OBAGI BLUE PEEL® (Obagi Skin Care)

A procedure for nonsurgical skin rejuvenation, it improves imperfections such as uneven pigmentation, unsightly blemishes, sun damaged skin, age spots, acne, fine wrinkles, photo-aged skin and large pores.

Beneficial to persons of all skin types including Asians and African Americans, unlike more invasive peels which are unfortunately suitable to only those of European Caucasian descent.

OTOPLASTY (Ear Surgery)

Includes surgery to refine or reshape deformed ears, pin back protruding ears, or correct the size or placement of ears to make the ears more proportional to the size and shape of the head and face.

RESTYLANE®

A soft tissue filler made of hyaluronic acid that is used to restore volume and fullness to the skin to minimize facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

RHINOPLASTY

Nose Improvement. This one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures and may involve the following techniques, done singly or in combination: nasal bridge augmentation or reduction (changes the shape of the bridge of the nose), nasal tip augmentation or reduction (changes the shape of the tip, change the angle between nose and upper lip) and alar plasty (reduction of width of the nasal base, narrows the span of the nostrils).

RHYTIDECTOMY

Face lift. This is done for removal of skin wrinkles of the face, loose and sagging skin, and correction of prominent skin folds. Most surgeons agree that the best time for the first facial plastic surgery is whenever it is needed. In most instances, this is between the ages of 45 and 55, when the telltale signs of age usually first appear. This procedure can be done either on an outpatient basis or with hospital confinement, depending on the patient’s preference. The length of the operation varies from 2 to 5 hours, under local anesthesia with sedation.

SCAR REVISION

Scars of the face and body from traumatic injury, disease or previous surgery may result in deep despair and sorrow from the loss of one’s normal facial appearance. The plastic surgeon’s ability to accurately excise the old scar, undermine the skin, and approximate the new skin edges affords you the best opportunity for cosmetic improvement of facial and body scars. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis . The length of the operation is usually around 1 hour, under local anesthesia.