Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repairs the nose for either cosmetic reasons or to improve breathing function. It can involve altering the bone, cartilage, and skin of the nose. This surgery is performed through incisions made inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty) or across the base of the nose (open rhinoplasty).
How does the wound happen?
The wound results from the surgical incisions made during the procedure. In open rhinoplasty, the external cut at the base of the nose may leave a visible scar if not properly cared for. Internal incisions, though hidden, still require healing and carry risks of infection or irritation if not managed well.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection Risk: Poor hygiene or touching the nose frequently can lead to bacterial infection, causing swelling, redness, pain, or discharge.
- Swelling and Bruising: Without proper aftercare, swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes may worsen or last longer than expected.
- Scarring: Improper healing or picking at scabs can lead to visible scarring, especially with open rhinoplasty.
- Nasal Blockage or Breathing Issues: Infections or poor healing can cause internal tissue swelling or scar formation, affecting airflow and requiring further treatment.
- Distorted Results: If the wound doesn’t heal correctly, the cosmetic results may be uneven or unsatisfactory, possibly requiring revision surgery.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic or functional surgical procedure that involves the removal or repositioning of excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It is often performed to improve vision in patients whose sagging eyelid skin interferes with sight, or for aesthetic reasons to create a more youthful appearance. The surgeon makes small incisions along the natural folds of the eyelids to minimize visible scarring.
How does the wound happen?
During the surgery, incisions are made on the eyelids—either on the upper lid, lower lid, or both. These incisions allow the surgeon to remove or reposition tissues. After the procedure, the wounds are closed with fine stitches to promote proper healing and reduce scarring.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection: The eye area is delicate and sensitive; if not kept clean, the wound can become infected, causing swelling, redness, or discharge.
- Poor Healing or Scarring: Without gentle aftercare, the incision may heal poorly, resulting in visible or raised scars along the eyelid crease.
- Wound Opening (Dehiscence): Rubbing the eyes or not following aftercare instructions may cause the stitches to loosen or the wound to reopen.
- Dry or Irritated Eyes: Improper wound care can interfere with healing and lead to discomfort, dryness, or even difficulty closing the eyes.
- Asymmetry or Functional Issues: Complications from poor wound care can result in uneven healing, affecting the eyelid shape and function, possibly requiring revision surgery.
Facelift (rhytidectomy), neck lift, brow lift
What are These Procedures?
Facelift (rhytidectomy), neck lift, and brow lift are common cosmetic surgeries performed to reduce visible signs of aging.
- A facelift targets sagging skin and deep wrinkles on the lower face and jawline.
- A neck lift improves the appearance of the neck and under-chin area by removing excess skin and tightening muscles.
- A brow lift raises the eyebrows and smooths out forehead lines to create a more youthful look.
All of these surgeries involve precise incisions made along the hairline, behind the ears, or under the chin, depending on the procedure. These incisions are then closed with sutures or skin glue, and are usually hidden in natural creases to minimize visible scarring.
How does the wound happen?
These are intentional surgical wounds made by a cosmetic surgeon to access the skin, fat, and underlying muscles. While performed in sterile conditions, they still require attentive aftercare to heal properly and avoid complications.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection Risk: Poor wound care can lead to redness, swelling, pain, or discharge. Infection can delay healing and damage surrounding tissues.
- Wound Separation: Improper care or tension on the skin can cause the incisions to reopen, especially around high-movement areas like the jaw or forehead.
- Visible Scarring: Without proper healing, scars can become thick, raised, or discolored, affecting the aesthetic outcome.
- Skin Necrosis: In rare cases, poor blood flow due to improper care or smoking may lead to tissue death (necrosis) around the incision.
- Asymmetry or Poor Cosmetic Results: Infection, swelling, or poor healing can impact the final result, leading to uneven appearance or the need for revision surgery.
Cheek augmentation, chin surgery (genioplasty), buccal fat removal, otoplasty
Cheek Augmentation
What is Cheek Augmentation?
Cheek augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance the fullness or contour of the cheeks. This can be done using cheek implants or dermal fillers. When implants are used, small incisions are typically made inside the mouth or along the lower eyelid.
How does the wound happen?
Surgical incisions are made to insert the implant, usually hidden inside the mouth or near the eye. These cuts go through skin and soft tissue, which must heal properly to avoid complications.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection at the Implant Site: Poor hygiene or care may lead to bacterial infection, especially with intraoral incisions.
- Swelling and Bruising: Unmanaged wounds can cause extended swelling, pain, or facial asymmetry.
- Implant Displacement: If healing is disrupted, the implant may shift, leading to an uneven appearance.
- Scarring or Tissue Damage: Internal scarring can affect facial appearance and feel.
- Nerve Damage or Sensitivity: Poor healing might affect surrounding nerves, causing numbness or tingling.
Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)
What is Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)?
Genioplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the chin to improve facial balance. It can involve cutting and moving the bone (sliding genioplasty) or inserting a chin implant.
How does the wound happen?
Surgeons typically make an incision inside the lower lip or under the chin to access the bone or insert the implant.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection and Swelling: The chin area is prone to swelling; infections can worsen if oral bacteria enter the wound.
- Implant Complications or Bone Healing Issues: If healing is disrupted, the bone or implant may not set correctly.
- Asymmetry or Misalignment: Poor healing may result in an uneven chin or facial imbalance.
- Prolonged Numbness: Improper healing may affect the mental nerve, leading to numbness in the lower lip or chin.
Buccal Fat Removal
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
This cosmetic procedure removes fat pads from the lower cheeks to create a more contoured facial appearance. It’s often performed to reduce roundness or puffiness in the cheeks.
How does the wound happen?
Small incisions are made inside the mouth to access and remove the fat pads.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection Due to Oral Bacteria: As the incision is intraoral, bacteria from the mouth can easily cause infection.
- Swelling or Prolonged Bleeding: Poor care may lead to excessive swelling, bruising, or hematoma.
- Facial Asymmetry: Uneven healing can result in one side of the face appearing different from the other.
- Damage to Facial Nerves or Ducts: Improper healing may impact nerves or salivary ducts, causing numbness or dry mouth.
Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the ears to make them less prominent or correct deformities.
How does the wound happen?
Surgeons typically make an incision behind the ear or within the ear folds to adjust cartilage and skin.
What Happens If Not Treated Properly?
- Infection and Redness: The area behind the ears is sensitive and can become infected if not kept clean.
- Ear Shape Distortion: Poor healing may affect the final ear position or symmetry.
- Visible Scarring: Incomplete healing may result in visible scars or keloids.
Hematoma or Fluid Build-Up: If not drained, fluid may collect under the skin, delaying healing.
