Bringing Out the Best in You
Think cosmetic surgery is a thing for the stars? Actually more and more people are getting some work done, even if they aren’t on the big screen. “I think it’s perfectly acceptable to want to look good,” says Dr. James Libecco of Akron Skin Center in Fairlawn. “People will come in and say ‘I hate to seem vain, but is there something you can do about this?’” If you have concerns, he recommends getting a consultation or talking to a friend who has had something done. “Don’t hesitate to want to look good,” he says.
And that goes for the guys, too! Dr. Faisal Quereshy of Visage Surgery Institute in Medina says he gets a lot of men in for procedures. “Many of them want eye lifts,” he says, “especially men in sales who are competing with younger people and want to look their best.”
Dr. James Lehman of Legacy Plastic Surgeons in Akron says a wider variety of people are now choosing to get work done. “It’s not just a country club thing, or for those people who are wealthy executives,” he says. “The average person can budget for it and see it as a way to feel better about themselves.” Here are three common procedures local doctors are doing that may be what you’re looking for, too.
Procedure: Eyelift
What’s involved?
An eyelift involves removing the extra loose skin on the eyelid and the bagginess around the lower eye. This extra skin is usually a result of genetics or excessive sun exposure. The procedure involves light sedation or anesthesia and takes about an hour and a half.
Who makes a good candidate?
Quereshy says an eyelift is a good option for someone who looks in the mirror and thinks they look generally tired, or like they’re getting older. “What they’re really looking at is their eyes,” he says. Eyelifts are usually performed on patients in their mid-30s to 50s and above. But Quereshy says it’s better to get it done sooner rather than later because younger skin heals more quickly.
What’s the recovery like?
Quereshy says the recovery depends on the individual’s age and health, but usually it’s three to five days. “It’s not debilitating—people can still go out,” he says. Some may experience minor swelling or bruising. There’s also a risk of infection, pain or bleeding but he says only 2 to 3 percent of patients experience these. “Not taking enough tissue away can also be an issue,” he says. “Patients may need to come back for a touch-up, but I’d rather take less than more because it’s easy to take skin away and not so easy to put it back.”
How much does it cost?
The average cost, not including anesthesia and facility charges, is about $1,500 to $2,000 for the upper or lower eye. Quereshy says if you get both done it’s usually discounted.
Procedure: Botox
What’s involved?
Botox is a protein that’s used to limit overactive muscles that create lines, particularly in the upper face. It blocks the signal that causes the muscles to contract and lead to wrinkles. “It’s not the harmful toxin some people view it as,” Libecco says. “It’s just another medicine, a sculpting tool we work with to tailor the strength of the muscles.” Botox treatments can be done fairly quickly after a short consultation. It usually takes about five injections into the facial muscles with a fine needle. No anesthesia is required, and people can go right back to work afterwards.
Who makes a good candidate?
Libecco says Botox is versatile. “It’s good for people with wrinkles at the corner of the eyes or those bunny lines when you squint your nose,” he says. It can also be used to drop down the lip to improve a “gummy” smile, create a more resting smile rather than frown or tighten bands in the neck were the muscles are. “This is a good option for someone who worries about the persistence of lines but doesn’t have severe wrinkles,” he says. “People with deep, resting lines are harder to fix.” He recommends starting in the early 30s to prevent further change. Botox is good for someone who doesn’t need a full facelift or major reconstruction.
What’s the recovery like?
The treatment can take about a week to kick in, but some see results in two days. Libecco says side effects can include mild bruising or sometimes a headache, though this is common in only a small percentage of patients. “Millions have been treated with Botox since the ‘70s,” he says. “We have a good idea of side effects, but they’re very minimal.” Libecco says some people can also build up a tolerance to the product so it doesn’t work quite as well. Botox provides temporary results, so patients can come in three or four times a year for another treatment.
How much does it cost?
Botox can cost about $175 for treatments around the eyes, $350 for the middle forehead and $650 to $700 for the whole face. “It’s that bang for the buck,” Libecco says. “We’re in Akron, not L.A. People aren’t going to lay $20,000 down every month.”
Procedure:
Abdominoplasty
(aka tummy tuck)
What’s involved?
An abdominoplasty consists of about three hours of operation in which the skin is elevated, muscles tightened and extra skin is removed. General anesthesia is used, and the procedure can be done as an outpatient.
Who makes a good candidate?
Lehman says most people who get an abdominoplasty are in their 30s or 40s and have had one to three children or lost a lot of weight. “The skin gets overstretched and no matter how much they work out they can’t change it,” he says. “An abdominoplasty is common when it’s warmer and people are concerned about looking good in a bathing suit.” Lehman also says a good candidate is someone healthy who isn’t overweight and doesn’t smoke. People with diabetes or high blood pressure usually can have the procedure done, but they require more medical attention.
What’s the recovery like?
Some people can get back to work in a week, but two weeks recovery is more common. Full exercise isn’t possible until after a month. Risks include infection, bleeding and blood clots. “We give patients compression stockings during surgery to reduce clots in the legs that can go to the lungs,” Lehman says. “For higher risk patients, we give them medication to thin the blood.”
How much does it cost?
Lehman says an abdominoplasty runs about $5,000 to $6,000, plus a surgeon’s fee and the cost of anesthesia, medication and an operating room charge.
Tips for Considering Cosmetic Surgery
Consider both surgical and non-surgical options. Surgery is more expensive, but usually offers more lasting results. Sit down with your doctor and determine together what the best option is for you.
Know your expectations and express them clearly with your doctor at the consultation so you’re both on the same page. It’s also important to choose a doctor you are comfortable with and who you feel can give you the results you’re looking for.
Make sure your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery so that your procedure is safe and the work is done well. Watch out for schemes, which have become more prevalent as cosmetic enhancement has grown popular. Your doctor should be operating in a safe, accredited facility.