It depends on skin texture, age, general
health, motivation and personal requirements
for the individual operations requested.
What should I look
for in a surgeon?
Your surgeon should not only have had the
experience to meet the prerequisite training
required for accreditation by the Australian
Board of Plastic Surgery but should also
have a good track record. He or she should
be someone who you feel you can trust and
be at ease with.
How will I know if
the procedure my surgeon recommends is the
right one?
It is always recommended that you get a
second or even third opinion.
Are there any preparations/procedures
I should follow prior to surgery?
Not as a rule, however you should speak
to your surgeon about any specific requirements.
Can a procedure be
reversed if I am not happy with the outcome?
Will skin sensitivity
affect which wrinkle control method I choose?
Not generally.
What are the risks
involved with laser surgery?
Risks involved with laser surgery are rare,
but can include; colour-change, temporary
pigmentation problems, persistent redness
and scars.
What are the risks
involved with chemical peels?
The risks are essentially the same as with
laser surgery. Your surgeon will also advise
you about resuming use of cosmetics and
how to protect your skin from the sun.
Is dermabrasion an
outmoded procedure?
Not at all. Dermabrasion can be very effective
at treating acne scars.
What is the recovery
time after a chemical peel?
Initial healing takes place within 4 to
8 days. In most cases you will be able to
return to work in a week or 2, although
it may take longer in the summer.
How long do muscle
relaxant injections work?
Typically, 3 to 5 months.
What are the benefits
of fat injection over muscle relaxant injections?
Fat injections and muscle relaxant injections
are two entirely different processes used
to treat quite different problems.
Is there a risk of
infection with muscle relaxant injections?
Infection from muscle relaxant injections
is very rare. In its 10 years of cosmetic
use, there are no documented long-term or
permanent side effects.
There is rarely any type of scarring resulting
from eye surgery.
How long is the recovery
time following eye surgery?
As with any surgery, the recovery time
depends on the individual. However, most
people are able to return to work after
7 to 10 days.
What are the risks
involved?
The risks are minimal and may include minor
visual impairment, which is usually temporary.
If excess skin has been removed from the
upper lid, it may be difficult to close
the eyes immediately after the procedure.
On the lower lid any drooping, though rare,
can be easily corrected.
How long will it take
to recover following rhinoplasty?
Most people usually feel confident enough
to appear in public a week to 10 days after
surgery and can expect to return to work
after 2 weeks.
What are the risks
involved in the procedure?
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular
procedures performed and as such, has a
relatively low risk factor. But, as with
any operation, complications can occasionally
occur.
Will nose surgery
have an effect on my breathing?
There may, from time to time, be some breathing
impairment for a short period immediately
following the surgery, however this invariably
resolves in time.
Is open technique
surgery better than closed surgery?
The difference between these two surgery
options depends on your circumstances. The
open technique suits some nasal deformities,
whereas closed surgery is more appropriate
for other types of corrective procedures.
Discuss the options with your surgeon to
decide which is best for you.
What are the risks
involved with implants and sculpting of
the cheeks and chin?
As with any surgery there are risks involved
which may include; pain, asymmetry due to
uneven positioning of the implant by the
surgeon, swelling, infection, haematoma,
or dissatisfaction with the results (though
this is subjective).
What are cheek implants
made of?
Cheek implants are usually made of Silicon
- a solid, flexible filler but can be made
of other materials such as Gore-Tex or expanded
Polyethylene. Each of these implant materials
offers certain advantages. Your plastic
surgeon will recommend the type of implant
he or she thinks is most appropriate.
What are the different
methods of facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery can be skin only, or muscle
and skin combined. In most patients a better
cosmetic result is achieved by bringing
the face back into balance. This usually
entails some correction of all three portions
of the face – the brow, face/lip and
neck areas.
Will there be obvious
scarring following a facelift?
Usually not. Any scars, are designed to
be well concealed.
What is the best method
of skin maintenance following a facelift?
Following a facelift complete sun avoidance
is recommended for the first couple of weeks
followed by daily use of a total blockout.
Skin creams with fruit acids, vitamin C
and vitamin E can be useful in promoting
healthy looking skin.
How long will the
effects last?
Usually 7-9 years.
What are the risks
involved with a rhytidectomy?
When a facelift is performed by a qualified
plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent
and usually minor. There is generally always
numbness, which can lasts through to six
months. There is risk of scars. There is
risk of infection. And there is risk of
irregularities under the skin, but these
are usually only temporary. Poor healing
of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.
What is the recovery
rate following a facelift?
You should be up and about in a day or
two, but plan on taking it easy for the
first week after surgery when 80% of people
are fit to face the public. After 2 weeks
95% of people are fit to face the public.
A return to work is usually possible after
three weeks.
What, if any,
are the risks associated with lip surgery?
Following surgery, you will be asked to
keep your head elevated and apply ice to
diminish swelling and discoloration. The
risks include possible infection, though
this can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
Scars, cold sores and mild asymmetry can
occur as well as varying degrees of satisfaction.
How long will implants
last?
The length of time lip fillers last depends
on the material used. Some are claimed by
the manufacturer to last up to 10 years.
Silicon is permanent, though not usually
available for lip augmentation. Others are
both relatively short-term fixes.
Will there be scarring?
There is generally some minor scarring
associated with Vermillion Ectomy or Vermillion
Advancement Surgery, though it is usually
well hidden.
How long after lip
surgery, before I can return to work or
exercise?
Usually, a week to ten days.
What are the
risks involved with neck surgery?
When a necklift is performed by a qualified
plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent
and usually minor. There is generally always
numbness, which can lasts through to six
months. There is risk of scars. There is
risk of infection. And there is risk of
irregularities under the skin, but these
are usually only temporary. Poor healing
of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.
