Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Your face is the most defining part of your body. It's the first thing people see when they meet you, so it's natural to want to make a good impression. Genetics and the effects of aging can make you wish to change your appearance. Luckily, you have options. Today's facial cosmetic procedures can positively alter your appearance without a lot of downtime.

Nasal Surgery

• Nasal surgery, or rhinoplasty, is one of the most common facial cosmetic procedures. This surgery can completely transform your nose: you can change the size and shape in order to make it more proportional to your face.

  Rhinoplasty surgery usually takes just a few hours to complete. Advances in technology allow the procedure to be completed on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll be home the same day of your surgery. Healing time will take at least seven to 10 days.

Eyelid Surgery

• Eyelid surgery is one way to look years younger. The procedure, scientifically named blepharoplasty, involves removing excess pockets of fat and skin from either the upper or lower eyelids. The result is a tight, youthful look.

  This procedure is also done on an outpatient basis and you'll be in and out of the cosmetic surgeon's office in a couple of hours. You'll want to take a few days off to recover and anywhere from five to 10 days to fully heal.

Chin Surgery

• Chin surgery, also known as genioplasty, is a procedure that can either increase or decrease the length and shape of your chin. This is usually done with implants that are made of synthetic materials and placed in the chin area. The result is a more proportional profile.

  This procedure can take as little as an hour to complete on an outpatient basis. The healing time with chin surgery is one to two weeks.

Cheekbone Implants

• Cheekbone implants, or malar augmentation, is a procedure in which implants made of synthetic material are inserted into the cheeks. The implants give the appearance of higher, more defined cheekbones.

  Malar augmentation is a one- to two-hour procedure on an outpatient basis. The recovery time is seven to 10 days.

Forehead/Eyebrow Lift

• A forehead/eyebrow lift is a procedure designed to tighten the skin. With a forehead/eyebrow lift, the cosmetic surgeon surgically lifts the facial skin, pulls it taut and removes excess skin. The result is tightened skin that takes years off your face. A forehead/eyebrow lift is commonly performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery to give the face an overall youthful-looking appearance.

  A forehead/eyebrow lift takes one to two hours to complete in your cosmetic surgeon's office. Recovery time is at least seven to 10 days.

Finding the Right Cosmetic Surgeon

• The most important thing to consider when electing to undergo a facial cosmetic procedure is the surgeon who will perform the procedure. But, how do you know what to look for in a cosmetic surgeon? First, you'll want to make sure the surgeon is board certified from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This ensures that your surgeon has received five or more years of surgical training with at least two of those years in plastic surgery. It also ensures that your surgeon will adhere to a strict code of professional ethics.

  You'll also want to make sure you feel comfortable with your cosmetic surgeon. Most cosmetic surgeons offer free consultations that allow you to visit and ask questions. This gives you the opportunity to evaluate surgeons without obligation.