The Benefits of “Mini” Plastic Surgery Procedures
Whether they are minor signs of facial aging or stubborn fat deposits, many of us have areas of concern that we might like to have addressed with cosmetic plastic surgery. However, given our active and busy lifestyles, finding the time to get those procedures done can often be difficult. Just like any other form of surgery, reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery procedures require a degree of rest in order for proper healing and recuperation to occur, but few of us have the luxury to take the necessary time off. Fortunately, advanced surgical techniques makes it possible to perform highly efficient “mini” plastic surgery procedures like mini facelifts and mini tummy tucks that can achieve exceptional results while minimizing post-surgical recovery time.
Mini Facelifts
A traditional facelift procedure is designed to provide rejuvenation for the entire face, from furrows on the forehead to sagging jowls around the neck, but not all patients require such comprehensive work. It is actually quite common for different areas of the face to age at different rates, and by targeting only those areas in need of improvement we can create a more youthful-looking appearance with a shorter recovery time. A typical mini-facelift focuses only on the middle third of the face, from the cheekbones to the jaw line, using only a few tiny incisions near the ears or temples. Fewer incisions and less adjustment of the soft tissues mean that patients can generally recover from a mini facelift much more quickly, with less post-operative discomfort, and have scars that are smaller and more easily concealed. Patients will even sometimes complement a mini facelift with facial fillers or fat transfer to add volume to the cheeks and give the face a more youthful, rounded appearance.
Mini Tummy Tucks
A full tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty procedure, not only removes excess fat and skin from the entire abdomen but also restores abdominal muscles that have been stretched or weakened by long term weight gain or pregnancy. However, many younger patients with good skin elasticity may only wish to address minor ‘pooching out’ of the lower belly and do not have a great deal of excess skin. In these cases, a mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty is often sufficient to achieve the desired results. Because it focuses only on the area below the belly button, much less tissue is involved and the belly button does not have to be repositioned. This means that a mini tummy tuck requires a much smaller incision and a much shorter post-surgical recovery time. Because it specifically does not address muscle separation in the upper portions of the abdomen, a mini tummy tuck is most appropriate for patients who are already in relatively good physical condition, but may be performed on men and women of nearly any body type. Many patients undergoing a mini tummy tuck also have liposuction performed on other areas of concern to further refine the contours of the midsection.
Every patient is unique and has different areas of concern, but these targeted procedures allow us to customize our treatments to suit each patient’s individual needs, giving them subtle, natural-looking plastic surgery results. If you are interested in learning more about the plastic surgery procedures that we perform and what they might be able to do for you, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. so that we can schedule an appointment. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
