The results from 2013 are in. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery’s surgeon members, more patients came to their offices seeking breast augmentations, eyelid lifts, and facelifts in 2013. While the increase for breast augmentation stands at one percent, the other two saw substantial increases of six percent.
Breast Augmentation
During puberty some girls’ breasts grow unevenly. Some reach womanhood and dislike the size of their breasts. Weight loss may leave you with breasts that are too small. All of the above are common reasons women consider breast augmentation surgery. This cosmetic procedure involves the insertion of saline or silicone gel implants below the breast tissue or the muscle. These implants increase the size of the breasts.
There are three common incisions used in breast augmentation. One involves making an incision around the areola. Another involves incisions made below the breast within the crease. Finally, the incision can be made in the armpit. The implant is then inserted through the incision and placed into the proper position. After the placement, incisions are closed with sutures. Dr. Polynice typically inserts the implants below the breast within the crease.
Following a breast augmentation, you have bandages wrapped around your chest for up to three days. After this, you wear a supportive sports bra for four weeks. Bruises and swelling dissipate over the span of a few weeks, but you’ll be ready to return to work after a week. Dr. Polynice offers to his patients the option of a pain pump. This greatly reduces the need for narcotic use and affords patients a more comfortable healing period.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) corrects two issues. One involves the upper eyelids where the surgeon can trim excess skin, muscle, and fat to help ease drooping lids. The other involves the lower eyelids where surgery helps get rid of under eye bags. You can have blepharoplasty on just an upper or lower eyelid or have both corrected at the same time. Incisions are hidden within the crease on the upper eyelid, under the eyelashes and or on the inside of the lower eyelid. Dr. Williams will usually offer fat transfers to under the eyes and the mid-face area in conjunction with lower eyelid surgery.
Common side effects following the surgery include itching, some discomfort, bruising and tightness. If you sleep with your head elevated with extra pillows or by sitting in a recliner, you can reduce some of the swelling that causes the tightness. Stitches come out after about a week and then you should be ready to return to work. Avoid strenuous tasks for three weeks.
Facelift
A facelift cannot stop you from aging, but it can help make you look younger, with results lasting for approximately 10 years. This surgical procedure starts with incisions made in the hairline at the temples and then continuing in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and then back into the hairline. Once the incisions are made, your facial plastic surgeon lifts the skin from the muscle and fat. After removing fat and tightening the muscles, the skin is re-draped over the new frame. Any excess skin is removed and the incisions are sutured closed.
This surgery corrects sagging skin on the lower cheeks, jowls, and the “turkey waddle” neck. It takes about two weeks before you can return to work, but stitches come out after approximately one week. Following the surgery, you may experience bruising and swelling. If you keep your head elevated by sleeping in a recliner or with your head propped up, it will help alleviate some of the swelling.
Dr. Williams is proud to announce his new technique “The True Williams Facelift” It helps to correct all of the above besides adding a mid-facelift and also improving the area under your eyes.
Men and women in New York who want to discuss one of these three surgeries with a specialist do well by contacting Dr. Edwin Williams. Read more about what to expect during a consultation at the Williams Center. Dr. Williams is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices in Albany and Manhattan. Schedule an appointment by calling (800) 742-2797.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.