Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Treatments: Which Can Give You The Look You Want?

October 26, 2016

Cosmetic surgery has evolved dramatically in recent years. There are now numerous surgical and non-surgical procedures that can greatly enhance your appearance. Having options to reach the appearance you desire can be complicated. Dr. Masri and his staff can help you fight wrinkles and sagging facial skin, change your nose, and create volume in the breasts all with and without surgery. Determining the procedure that is best for you can be discussed at your consultation

Non-Surgical Procedures

As we age, more wrinkles appear and that once youthful glow begins to fade. There is a way to rejuvenate your appearance and get smooth, glowing, and radiant skin again with dermal fillers. There are many dermal fillers that are FDA approved and can work for you with just one treatment! These fillers are injected into the facial area with a very small needle that will minimize the pain. If the patient needs a topical anesthetic, one can be placed on the area prior to the injection being administered. Dermal fillers are a great, subtle way to enhance your facial appearance and fill the vision that you have for yourself. Most fillers are not permanent and will require repeat injections in order to maintain results. Fat injections, however, can produce more permanent results, which have made them an increasingly popular option.

Restylane

A very popular dermal filler that is injected is Restylane. This is a hyaluronic acid that is a clear gel and is injected with a micro-needle after topical anesthesia is applied. Hyaluronic acid is popular for those who want lip enhancement that last longer than typical collagen enhancements. The material is extracted from animals and is natural so there is not a risk of an allergic reaction. The procedure only takes a few minutes and regular activities can be resumed afterward. The injections should be repeated at least once or twice a year.

Juvederm

Juvederm is one of the newest and most popular dermal fillers today that can have immediate effects on your facial features. Juvederm is made of hyaluronic acid in a smooth gel consistency. The smoothness allows for the gel to restore the volume of the face that has been lost, fill in lines, and remove wrinkles. Juvederm can be injected on many areas of the face, including around the mouth and eyes. The formula of Juvederm allows it to greatly assist with hydration in the skin because it is a naturally occurring substance. It has been proven to be safe and effective for patients of all ethnicities and is often preferred over collagen fillers. Dermal fillers have also recently been utilized to change the shape of the nose without a rhinoplasty procedure.

Collagen

Collagen can also assist in removing wrinkles and can focus on deeper folds in the skin. Collagen is a protein that is extracted from beef hide and can easily blend into the skin's composition. The folds and depressions in the skin can be filled with collagen solutions that allow them to become even and smooth again. A very fine needle is utilized to inject the collagen in numerous areas. The collagen is massaged into the correct position; however, the area can become slightly swollen or puffy afterward for a brief period of time. The collagen will not be a permanent solution and will need to be repeated to continue the same effect. Dermal fillers may be an option if you want smooth and radiant skin, but there are other options that can help to reduce wrinkles and restore a more youthful look. Botox and fat transfer are great options for creating a new appearance without surgery.

Botox

Botox is another popular procedure that is used by millions of people to reduce lines and rejuvenate their facial appearance. Botox is a purified protein that is often injected into the frown lines of the eyebrows. This treatment is injected into the muscles to relax the muscle activity that makes the frown lines form over time. The injections will be completed quickly, within approximately ten minutes. There is no recovery time and results can be observed within days of the injection. Botox can last up to four months and may need to be re-administered at that point. The results are different for each individual, but most enjoy positive ones. There is little chance for infection with Botox and there are few side effects. The procedure will be subtle and the face will not appear as though an entire face lift procedure was performed. Once treatment is stopped, the lines that once appeared prior to treatment will be back.

Fat Injections

Fat injections are a great way to restore volume to your face and other areas of the body. Fat transfers are also known as fat injections and cannot only restore volume but can rejuvenate stem cells that will naturally increase collagen production. The fat can be injected into the temples, cheeks, jaw line, lips, chin, forehead, and in between the eyebrows. The fat can also be injected into the breasts and can increase cup size. The fat transfer to the breasts is a great way to avoid a surgical breast augmentation procedure, but can still allow for evenness and fullness to be added. The fat transfer will appear very natural because the fat is not an unnatural object in the body. The breast can only be enlarged one or two cup sizes, and other factors of candidacy depend on the individual. The body will naturally accept the fat and the injections allow for the treatment to be considered non-surgical. The fat for the transfer is often taken from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, but can come from anywhere on the body where there is an excess of fat. During the consultation, Dr. Masri and his staff will discuss if the patient has enough fat to complete the transfer to the breasts. If fat is being injected into the facial area, a large amount will not be needed and will not be as much of a concern.

Surgical Procedures

There are many options for surgical procedures that can also influence the facial area, nose, and breasts. A face lift or eyebrow lift can greatly impact the youthfulness of the skin. The surgical procedure has a longer recovery time than dermal fillers, but will be also be a permanent option. Many times during a face lift facial fat injections are also utilized if areas need to be filled in and more volume is needed. The nose can only slightly be influenced by injectables and fillers, but rhinoplasty can produce more dramatic results. Rhinoplasty will have at least one week of recovery time as well as one full year before the nose is completely healed as it was prior to the procedure. Rhinoplasty can have an immense impact on the face and greatly change the focal point and symmetry the face has. Many cosmetic and functional aspects can be changed with rhinoplasty. Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure among women, but not all women want to receive synthetic implants. Breast augmentation utilizing fat from other areas of the body is another way to create the look you want. Although fat transfers cannot enlarge the breasts as much as an implant can, it can still provide fullness and evenness to a certain extent. The choice between surgical and non-surgical procedures can be challenging. The cost of the procedure and the recovery time are important aspects to take into consideration. The outcome that is desired may be achieved with either, and the patient will need to make the right choice for him or her. Dr. Masri and his staff can help with these tough decisions and determine the best way to achieve the desired appearance. If you are ready for a new you and want to know your options, call the Masri clinic for a consultation today at 866-487-3223.

October 26, 2016 by Masri Clinic