Q: What Is "Plastic Surgery"?

A: The word "plastic" comes from the ancient Greek language meaning molding or giving form. Plastic surgery encompasses both reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery, popularly referred to as cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery restores or improves physical function and minimizes disfigurement from accidents, disease or birth defects. While not essential to physical health, aesthetic surgery can improve the appearance of normal body features and enhance self image. Plastic Surgery encompasses both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, commonly referred to as cosmetic surgery, Reconstructive Surgery can restore or improve physical function and minimizes disfigurements from accidents disease or birth defects.

Q: Who needs Plastic Surgery?

A: Each year, more than a half million American women and men choose aesthetic surgery to change the way they look. Some have noticeable changes made, others subtle refinements. Once considered the exclusive domain of women, aesthetic surgery now is in demand from men who recognize the results and benefits it can bring. In recent years, men have accounted for 25 percent of all surgeries of the nose, nearly 15 percent of all eyelid surgeries and 10 percent of all facelifts performed in the United States.

Q: Is Plastic Surgery for me?

A: Regardless of an individual's sex, the decision to have aesthetic surgery usually is determined by a mixture of personal and societal factors. Whatever your reasons for choosing aesthetic surgery, remember to have only realistic expectations. Surgery can change your appearance, but the rest is up to you. An appointment with Dr. Harrell will address your concerns and devise a plan which is suitable to your personal needs.

Q: What should I know?

A: Carefully consider your choice. To aid you further, please review the following text, as approved by the American Medical Association, House of Delegates, June 1989.

Q: Why would I want to have a FACELIFT?

A: As the skin ages, folds and wrinkles appear near the nose and mouth, loose skin appears on the neck and the jaw line loses its definition. Surgery will not stop this process, but is able to tighten the skin and underlying muscles removing excess fat from under the skin and give you a much younger appearance. The incisions will usually be at the top of the ear and extend down inside your ear, behind the earlobe and around the back into the scalp. Some patients also require a small incision beneath the chin in the natural skin crease. These incisions are well concealed and usually heal with almost no detectable scarring. In patients who are in their forties and fifties and who have only moderate looseness of the skin, the mid-facelift may be done, avoiding any incisions behind the ears. The final result is usually very similar to the appearance one enjoyed 5, 10 or even 15 years ago.

Q: Who would need a MID-FACELIFT?

A: Patients who do not have any significant changes in the neck, but who do have falling of the cheek area may be good candidates for a lesser procedure such as a mid-facelift. The operation involves placing internal stitches to lift up the falling areas through tiny incisions.

Q: Who would need a neck lift?

A: If the cheeks are not drooping, a neck lift may be the answer. The incisions will usually begin at the top of the ear and extend down inside your ear, behind the earlobe and around the back into the scalp. At the same time as the excess skin is removed, the fat can be liposuctioned and muscles tightened.

Q: Can I combine a FACELIFT/NECK-LIFT or MID-FACELIFT with other cosmetic procedures?

A: The facelift/neck lift or mid-facelift is frequently combined with eyelid lifts, brow or forehead lifts, as well as plastic surgery on other areas of the body.

Q: What kind of anesthesia is used during a FACELIFT/NECK-LIFT or MID-FACELIFT?

A: A facelift takes around three hours and is done with light general anesthesia. The other procedures are generally done with similar anesthesia, but usually takes less time.

Q: Will insurance pay for a FACELIFT/NECK-LIFT or MID-FACELIFT?

A: Insurance will not cover this procedure as it is considered completely cosmetic in nature.

Q: What will I experience in the days following a FACELIFT/MID-FACELIFT or NECK-LIFT?

A: Following these types of procedures patients will usually go home after surgery. The dressings are usually removed after 1 or 2 days. Some bruising and swelling are to be expected. Medication will control the minimal pain and discomfort that patients can experience. Plan on not being able to drive for two weeks and on being out of work for 2 weeks. Exercise will need to be curtailed for a full 2-3 weeks.