March 2021 - Jim Brantner MD

6 Most Common Plastic & Cosmetic Procedures

Mar 29, 2021 | Uncategorized

Gone are the days when celebrities are at the forefront of plastic and cosmetic surgeries. Such procedures have increased in popularity, especially for men, with a 40% rise over the past decade alone. While there are many procedures for men and women, what’s the most common?

Here we explain the six most common plastic and cosmetic procedures.

Rhinoplasty

Commonly known as a nose job, this surgery is cosmetic and medically beneficial for patients suffering from breathing or structural issues. During the procedure, the patient will be under general or local anesthesia. The surgeon will make incisions inside the nostrils to restructure the bone and cartilage. Sometimes the surgeon will make an incision on the bottom of the nose.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure. Once the procedure is done, patients will wear a nose splint for a week. Bruising and swelling are normal but eventually pass within seven days, though the scarring can take months to fade.

Botox Injections

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, a naturally occurring toxin in bacteria that is used to treat wrinkles, migraines, and excessive sweating. In most cases, Botox for cosmetic use is directly injected into the face or neck, tightening the muscles to reduce wrinkles or sagginess. Botox is injected into the face and neck for migraines. In the case of excessive sweating, it’s injected into the armpit.

It doesn’t take long to inject, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes in the doctor’s office, depending on the patient’s treatment. Results last four to six months for cosmetic use and four to twelve months for migraine use.

Breast Augmentation

Also known as breast enlargement, this procedure restructures breasts to make them larger. Women who’ve undergone surgery for breast cancer use augmentation for reconstruction. This procedure is either inpatient or outpatient. Some patients undergo local or general anesthesia, depending on their plan.

First, the surgeon will make an incision at the areola or in the patient’s armpit. This creates a pocket for the surgeon to place the implant under the pectoral muscle, aligning it underneath the nipples. The surgery lasts for two hours, with the removal of stitches a week later. Patients may have a post-surgical bra to support the breasts during recovery.

Facelift

Otherwise known as rhytidectomies, facelifts are surgeries that help the skin tighten to erase fine lines and wrinkles. During the procedure, the surgeon will cut at the front of the ear and toward the temples and hairline. The surgeon will then lift excess skin and drape it to tighten, thus creating a smooth texture across the face.

Stitches will line the incisions, and patients can expect removal after ten days. There will be bruising and swelling, so it can take time to see results.

Forehead Lift

Popular among adults 40 and older, forehead lifts get rid of wrinkles and fine lines by tightening the skin of one’s forehead. Many patients use this and other procedures, such as facelifts, to diminish aging effects and unwanted skin. There are two surgery options to choose from:

● In the classic procedure, the surgeon will cut beside one ear and across the forehead to the other ear. The skin is lifted for the surgeon to remove fat and tissue while sometimes moving the eyebrows higher.
● An endoscopic lift involves up to five incisions on the scalp for the endoscope to observe the tissues and muscles. A tool will lift the skin in a separate incision to remove the fat and tissue and possible muscle realignment. In this procedure, the eyebrows may also move higher.

Both inpatient and outpatient options are available, depending on the patient’s needs. In the case of breast augmentation, either general or local anesthesia will be available based on the procedure plan. Some side effects may include numbness at the incision or scalp, swelling, pain, or bruising.

Blepharoplasty

An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, lifts the eyelids to correct sagginess and excess fat. This occurs on both the upper and lower lids and isn’t dependent on age. Many younger patients have droopy eyelids or extra tissue caused by genetics. That said, most people who have blepharoplasty are 35 and older.

Eyelid lifts are either inpatient or outpatient. General or local anesthesia will be available alongside the use of sedatives. Post-surgery, the patient might be sore, and their eyelids may be tight. Short-term vision problems, inability to close one’s eyes, swelling, acne, and ectropion are possible side effects of blepharoplasty.

Want to know more about plastic and cosmetic procedures?

With many procedures to choose from, our team of experienced doctors is here to help you on your journey to the body you’ve always wanted. For more information, contact Jim Branter, M.D. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at (423) 328-9000 for service in Johnson City, TN, and the surrounding areas.

7 Plastic Surgery Trends That Will Be Huge in 2021

Mar 16, 2021 | Injectable Fillers, Non-Surgical, Uncategorized, Upper Arm Contouring

Last year, 2020 was normal until around mid-March. Our world completely flipped upside-down when COVID-19 paid a visit to the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested that hospitals and outpatient facilities limit non-essential elective surgeries during the pandemic.

Now that coronavirus cases are declining, elective surgeries are on the rise again; however, hospitals and facilities still practice safety measures. Between quarantine and stay-at-home ordinances, people have had more time alone to think about cosmetic procedures. The pandemic also warranted more virtual work environments, which caused people to look at themselves more over their webcam.

A new year brings new trends to explore. Plastic surgeries in 2021 may look a little different, though some will be repeats of previous years. Trends fade in and out, but the following 7 trends are guaranteed to be huge and in high demand this year among patients and cosmetic surgeons.

1. Browplasty (Brow Lift)

Brow lifts are one of many ways to spruce up your face. Wearing face masks has made people hyper-aware of their eyes and eyebrows. A brow lift, known as browplasty, aims to reduce wrinkles and creases that form over time across the forehead and between the eyes.

This procedure also improves the vertical frown lines that appear between the eyebrows. Browplasty raises sagging eyebrows that hang over the upper eyelids. Overall, it reorients the eyebrows into a more youthful position.

During a brow lift procedure, other surgeries can be performed, such as upper and lower eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty) and facelifts.

2. Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

Even though our noses are mostly covered under face masks in the pandemic era, they are still a prominent facial feature that people are likely to notice, especially on a Zoom video call. Rhinoplasty, or the reshaping of the nose, is a common cosmetic procedure.

Rhinoplasty is now available as a surgery or “liquid” procedure. Contrary to classic nose surgery, liquid rhinoplasty is getting more popular because it’s a liquid injection of hyaluronic acid (HA). Rather than going under the knife, you can opt for the non-surgical approach.

The HA injection works to reshape the nose in a safer way than going through surgery. Choosing the best option for you depends on the extent of your desired nose job.

3. Laser Resurfacing

Rather than trying to reverse the signs of aging, 2021 is the year people are getting into anti-aging. Younger people are taking preventative measures to make their youthfulness last longer, especially because they may be under harsh lighting on camera.

Laser resurfacing is attracting a wider audience of young people. Many people starting in their early 20s are considering laser resurfacing, which refers to removing the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and allowing it to grow back.

Once the laser removes the outer layer, it heats the dermis (the next layer of skin) and stimulates the collagen fibers to grow. As the epidermis heals, it comes back much smoother and tighter.

4. Facial Rejuvenation

Facial rejuvenation is a broad term for multiple ways you can revitalize your face. Types of facial rejuvenation include laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and facelifts. Laser resurfacing is a common type of facial rejuvenation treatment among young adults.

Similar to a chemical peel, microdermabrasion is a non-surgical procedure that renews skin tone and texture. Patients who request microdermabrasion may have sun damage, age spots, acne scarring, melasma, or other skin conditions that have left them feeling insecure. This deep exfoliation treatment will leave your face feeling as smooth as a baby’s bottom.

Facelifts were more common among aging adults in the 1970s and 1980s. Their main purpose was to tighten the skin on and around the face, including loose skin around the neck. This treatment is the least popular option in facial rejuvenation treatments now because it’s age-reversing rather than anti-aging.

5. Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also called enlargement or enhancement, will continue to be a popular cosmetic surgery. Technological and surgical advancements have changed the science of breast augmentation.

These improvements have helped reduce recovery times and lessen pain. However, the procedure is still the same: the surgeon places silicone or saline implants in each breast to enhance its size and shape.

6. Non-Surgical Injectable Fillers

In general, there has been an increase in non-surgical treatments, mostly due to pain, cost, and recovery time.

Botox is a popular facial injection that temporarily smooths skin. Its popularity is due in part to its short recovery time. However, the results are not permanent, and treatment must be repeated two to three times a year.

Facial fillers are generally made of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and hydroxyapatite. Fillers reduce wrinkles, raise depression wounds from scarring, enhance lips, and restore soft tissue. Fillers are often used with Botox to lengthen the time before more treatments are needed.

7. Body Contouring

Liposuction and CoolSculpting, also known as body contouring, have been on the rise and will continue their upswing throughout 2021. During quarantine, many people gained the “quarantine 15,” which refers to a 15-pound weight gain resulting from the stay-at-home orders of COVID-19.

Liposuction uses a suction technique to remove fat from parts of the body. The most popular areas to remove fat among men and women are in the hips, thighs, upper arms, and abdomen.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that essentially freezes and kills fat cells, causing the treated area to melt away. Following treatment, your body will naturally wipe out the dead cells in one to three months.

Call Dr. Jim Brantner, M.D. for Your 2021 Plastic Surgery Goals in Johnson City, TN

Make 2021 your year to look and feel your best. To schedule a consultation, call the office of Dr. Jim Brantner at (423) 328-9000 or send a message. Dr. Brantner services the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee.