The earliest reference to plastic surgery procedures can be found in an Ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to 3000 BC, describing the repair of a broken nose. Ancient Romans also knew how to utilize plastic surgery techniques as recorded by Roman scholar Aulus Cornelius Celsus in the first century. Reparative methods were also used in India as early as 800 BC and cataract surgeries, aimed at helping patients restore their sight, were also performed from the 6th century BC. It is this revolutionary work in the field of plastic surgery that was carried out by Indian healers that was first recorded in writing and can be viewed as a set of detailed medical descriptions in its own right. The original Sanskrit texts were soon translated to Arabic and spread across the Asian continent and Europe during the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 AD. The first Europeans who made use of these early plastic surgery techniques were the Italian Branca family in Sicily.

Compared to the East, Western medical practice lagged behind in the field of plastic surgery (and surgery in general). The earliest record of plastic surgery in the West dates back to 1794 when the British Gentleman’s Magazine published an article on the innovative rhinoplasty procedures of Indian medics. It was on the wings of this article that Englishman Joseph Constantine Carpue, a popular lecturer in anatomy and a skilled surgeon travelled to India to devote 20 years of his life studying the traditional Indian rhinoplasty method which involved using a piece of skin taken from the patient’s forehead to form a nose. Upon his return to England Carpue performed the first plastic surgery procedure of the West – a rhinoplasty using ancient Indian techniques. Carpue’s patient was a soldier whose nose has been destroyed by a previous mercury treatment. Carpue was so stunned by the success of the operation that when the bandages were removed from the patient’s nose he reportedly exclaimed: “My God, there is a nose.” Though the surgery was widely proclaimed an overwhelming success it is painful to imagine what Carpue’s patient must have endured during a surgery that did not include any anesthesiology (in the modern sense of that word).

Another great innovator in the field of plastic surgery was Karl Ferdinand von Graefe, a German surgeon who became director of the ophthalmological institute at the University of Berlin in the early 1800s. Graefe was also inspired by the soldiers who often suffered terrible injuries and needed reconstructive plastic surgery to drastically improve their quality of life. Graefe performed several rhinoplasty procedures and is generally recognized as the founder of German rhinoplastic surgery. He also performed the first corrective surgery on a cleft palate patient and experimented with eyelid surgery. Though Graefe’s contribution to plastic surgery is immense, it is worth pointing out that he was very much a man of his time. It was Graefe who coined the term “plastic” in relation to reconstructive surgery, taking it from the Greek word for giving form (plastikos).

As anesthesia techniques and hygiene practices developed during the late 19th century, an American surgeon, John Orlando Roe performed the first non-reconstructive nose job. This was a significant step for the history of plastic surgery as up until that point all plastic surgery procedures were aimed at restoring functionality and were much less concerned with the physical appearance of the patient. Following in Roe’s footsteps, Germans surgeon Eugen Hollander is believed to be the first doctor ever to perform a purely cosmetic face lift. In 1901 Hollander was the first to cut the skin around and under the ears to smooth out any lines or wrinkles.

In an unfortunate twist of fate it was the two World Wars of the twentieth century that brought the most advances to the field of plastic surgery. The terrible injuries suffered by WWI patients spurred surgeons to seek innovative medical solutions and it was during this time that plastic surgeons formed their first professional associations and boards. The horrors of WWII meant further advances for plastic surgery; most famously it was during this time that extensive skin burns were first treated with skin grafts. These methods were further refined and finally integrated into the classical canon of plastic surgery and from the 1960s onwards plastic surgery was marketed to patients looking to improve their appearance and erase the signs of aging.

Dr. Warren Lent is a double board certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who makes use of all the latest technologies and innovations in plastic surgery to make his patients’ experiences as painless and comfortable as possible. He is available for consultation on all forms of plastic surgery at his office in Beverly Hills.

To fully understand thigh lifts it is important to consult with a certified plastic surgeon. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and happy to conduct consultations.

Thigh lift surgery candidates include people who suffer from excess skin around their thighs and who wish to improve the overall contour of the thigh area. Excess skin can be a result of extreme weight loss, post-pregnancy loss of skin elasticity as well as genetic disposition. Patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly but are not able to change the contour of their thighs due to excess skin could benefit from a thigh lift plastic surgery procedure. As with all plastic surgery procedures patients who maintain good health by regular exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking have a better chance of lowering the risks of complications and will be able to uphold the results of the surgery for a longer time.

The procedure

Thigh lift plastic surgeries are generally performed as outpatient procedures so there is no need to stay in hospital overnight following plastic surgery. In most cases general anesthesia is used but the plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist will advise the patient after evaluating each individual case. There are two main thigh lift plastic surgery techniques which tackle different problem areas. The medial thigh lift is used when the patient is suffering from excess skin or loss of skin elasticity in the inner thigh area. The plastic surgeon makes an incision at the fold where the leg meets the pubic area. The surgeon then proceeds to remove an area of excess skin from the top of the leg and pulling up the skin to meet the incision area thus tightening and creating a smoother surface for the inner thighs.

If the patient’s problem areas are focused mainly around the front side or outer side of the thigh then a lateral thigh lift can be a good solution. During a lateral thigh lift procedure the plastic surgeon makes an incision around the upper part of the leg, close to where the lower edge of the underwear would normally sit. Excess skin is then removed and the thigh skin is pulled up and tightened to close the incision area. A lateral thigh lift plastic surgery procedure ensures that both the front and side area of the thighs is tightened and smoothed out. The lateral thigh lift surgery is often a good plastic surgery solution for patients who lost a considerable amount of weight and are left with excess skin around the entire thigh area.

One other option is a vertical medial (inner) thigh lift. This is performed when there is excess skin extending all the way down towards the knees. This procedure leaves a scar that extends from the groin down towards the knee.

Recovering after a thigh lift plastic surgery procedure

After closing the incision the plastic surgeon applies bandages over the area. In most cases compression garments are applied too to reduce the amount of swelling and to help shape the thigh area in order to achieve a smoother contour. Sometimes small tubes are placed in the operated area to help fluids drain. Deep sutures will dissolve within a few months of the plastic surgery procedure and sutures on the surface of the skin will be taken out around two to four weeks after the procedure. Patients are advised to have a friend or family member help them get home after the plastic surgery and it is recommended to take around ten days off work to allow proper time for healing. Thigh plastic surgery patients should try to rest in a reclining position or standing up to help the healing process. Most patients recover fully after four to six months.

How long do the results last?

The results of thigh lift plastic surgery are immediately visible straight after surgery but some swelling might occur for a while. The final results become apparent after a few weeks and can be maintained in the long term with a healthy diet and exercise and by keeping a constant body weight. As with all plastic surgery procedures even the most long lasting effects will change as the body ages but the thigh lift procedure results are generally considered to be very long lasting.

Risks and complications

A thigh lift is a plastic surgical procedure and as such it carries a set of risks and possible complications. The most common side effects include the formation of blood clots, the accumulation of fluids in the legs, swelling and bruising around the incision site and the treated area feeling different or numb. It is also important to keep in mind that the anesthesia method used at the time of thigh lift plastic surgery will also incur its own set of risks depending on which technique is used by the anesthesiologist.

As a double certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is capable of consulting and carrying out all forms of thigh lift plastic surgery procedures. Book an appointment for an in-depth consultation.

As a general rule, plastic surgery patients preparing for their procedure should not bring money or valuables with them on the day of plastic surgery. It is important to wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to get in and out of as maneuvering oneself after a potentially painful plastic surgery procedure will be much easier with comfortable clothing. All plastic surgery patients should have their insurance information with them when arriving for their procedure. There is no need to bring any other object unless the patient receives specific instruction from the plastic surgeon. If a patient has an underlying medical condition for which they have to take medication then they must be sure to inform the plastic surgeon who will advise on whether to bring the medication with them or not.

A final but very important element of the “to bring list” is a friend or relative who can drive you home following the plastic surgery procedure. They will also stay with you in the hours following the plastic surgery procedure to ensure that everything is in order and your recovery is going according to plan. Though it is not strictly necessary for them to arrive at the plastic surgery office with you, most plastic surgeons suggest that it helps to have the calming effect of a friend or relative around prior to plastic surgery. As most plastic surgery patients will be in some degree of pain after the procedure, a friend or relative’s helping hand can really make a difference to their plastic surgery experience.

Depending on the type of plastic surgery procedure as well as the patient’s specific needs and plastic surgeon’s recommendations, there are three kinds of locations where plastic surgery can be performed. Plastic surgeries can take place in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or at the plastic surgeon’s office itself. The three options present different advantages and disadvantages to the potential plastic surgery patient and it is important to know exactly what they are before deciding on a plastic surgery procedure.

Hospitals are generally presented as an option for patients planning to undergo a major plastic surgery procedure. Hospitals have the facilities to provide general anesthesia and are fit for procedures where the patient is required to stay overnight. They are well staffed and have other medical services close at hand in case the need arises prior, during or after plastic surgery. However, hospital-based surgeries can be a costly affair with charges coming from a multitude of sources including not just the plastic surgeon’s fees but operating theatre rental, staff related costs, anesthesiology costs and possible overnight charges.

Outpatient plastic surgery centers, or as they are often called, same-day surgery centers, are facilities where patients who do not require an overnight stay after plastic surgery. They are becoming ever more popular as these centers often have more comfortable and luxurious surroundings, especially compared to hospitals, and as a large number of plastic surgery procedures are outpatient surgeries they eliminate the need to pay for extra fees in the hospital. The disadvantage of outpatient surgery centers is that they are not as well regulated as hospitals.

A third option available for potential plastic surgery patients is the plastic surgeon’s office. There are a number of procedures that can be performed under local anesthesia in the plastic surgeon’s office itself, such as the much requested laser eyelid surgery procedure. The plastic surgeon’s office usually means dramatically lower costs for the patient. Unfortunately, not all plastic surgery procedures can be performed at the plastic surgeon’s office. Ultimately, your plastic surgeon should be able to help choose the best option for your particular plastic surgery.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is double board certified and happy to carry out numerous plastic surgery procedures in his office.

A good plastic surgeon is the single most important part of any plastic surgery. A well-educated and highly trained plastic surgeon with plenty of experience in the field is going to make the entire process more successful. From the initial consultation, where the patient and plastic surgeon discuss expectations and make a plan for a realistic outcome, through the actual plastic surgery itself where great skill and plenty of experience is paramount, to the post-surgery follow up, a plastic surgeon you can trust should be the patient’s number one concern.

When it comes to delicate procedures such as the laser blepharoplasty I rely not only in my extensive training in the field but on the experience I gained from performing over 3000 laser eyelid plastic surgeries. With each surgery I gain more knowledge and a better understanding of the procedure and with each patient I am confident to suggest the best possible treatment plan.

I pride myself on the fact that my plastic surgery patients can rely on me 100% and I understand the responsibility this entails. Choosing a plastic surgeon can be a daunting task but always make sure to ask about the number of procedures the plastic surgeon has performed successfully as the plastic surgeon’s experience will make an incredible difference to the final results of any plastic surgery procedure.

Dr. Warren Lent is a double board certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and as such has a huge amount of plastic surgery experience behind him to ensure that all Beverly Hills plastic surgery patients receive the past possible treatment.

When considering plastic surgery many factors have to be taken into consideration. As with all surgical procedures, cosmetic surgery also comes with a set of benefits as well as some risks. The first step in thinking about plastic surgery is narrowing down the problem area and deciding which surgical procedure is right for you. Many patients will browse the internet for before/after pictures, talk to their friends with some experience of plastic surgery and eventually request a medical consultation to see what their options are. The next stage is to think about all the details surrounding the surgery itself, such as how much recovery time is needed following the preferred surgical solution, how much disruption it will cause in one’s everyday life or if the procedure is a viable option considering any underlying medical factors. Finally, but perhaps most crucially for the majority of patients, the cost of the procedure will have to be calculated and planned for.

It is with all these considerations in mind that prospective plastic surgery patients embark on choosing the right surgeon for them. One of the ways in which patients hope to save money on the procedure is by looking for surgeons abroad. Plastic surgery packages where patients travel to other countries, to places such as Tijuana in Mexico or further afield in South America, are becoming ever more popular. Plastic surgery themed travel agencies are offering a “holiday-style nip and tuck” with a promise of palm trees and lower costs. However, it is important to remember that plastic surgery can involve risky procedures and often looking for cheaper options abroad is not the sensible path to take.

What are the risks of undergoing plastic surgery abroad?

One of the basic factors to consider when contemplating plastic surgery abroad is that every surgery, including any cosmetic procedure, is still a complicated medical procedure that has to be performed by well-trained and experienced surgeons. In some cases it is difficult to find a reliable and unbiased source of information regarding the surgeon who is going to perform your procedure and checking their references may also prove to be a challenge. Furthermore, while in theory it might sounds like lying on the beach following a procedure is very relaxing, the reality of surgery is that the recovery period can be painful and longer than expected and having the help of friends and family around you is important.

In addition, when plastic surgery packages abroad entice patients with “holiday activities” it is worth knowing that following many plastic surgery procedures it is not advised to partake in strenuous exercise or immerse in salty water. Proper healing is essential and a beach holiday could potentially hinder the process. Long-haul travel associated with plastic surgery abroad can also increase the risk of complications and can be uncomfortable and an overall unpleasant experience for recovering patients.

The low cost factor of plastic surgeries abroad is also questionable in some cases. If the surgery does not go according to plan, patients might end up paying for more costly (not to mention more complicated) revision surgeries in the U.S. As all plastic surgeons know, it is better to spend more resources on an experienced surgeon and have the first procedure performed properly than having to go in and correct mistakes with revision surgery.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that the U.S. laws protecting patients at home are not relevant to procedures performed abroad. While a U.S. board certified surgeon will have to abide by the strictest rules and regulations set out by the board, this is not the case with surgeons abroad.

A horror story from Tijuana, Mexico

While there are many advertisements and attractive brochures luring people to opt for plastic surgery abroad it is worth being aware of other patients’ stories in order to avoid repeating their mistakes. In a recent case widely covered by international press two Texan women chose to undergo a tummy tuck and breast augmentation in a plastic surgery clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. After removing their bandages the two women discovered that the results of their surgery were far from satisfying and found there was skin hanging out from the incision sites. The two women ended up in the local hospital where they had to undergo further operations and were left with botched results and a much longer recovery period. Unfortunately no legal action could be taken against the clinic and the overall cost of the procedures, together with revision surgeries, reached a much higher level than they expected.

What to look for in your surgeon? What does it mean to be a U.S. board certified plastic surgeon?

The safest alternative to plastic surgery abroad is to choose an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon. Patients often wonder what the certification actually means and are not clear on the importance of choosing a board certified plastic surgeon. Board certified plastic surgeons undergo years of rigorous training. While many doctors practise under the title “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery” it does not necessarily mean that they underwent special training in the field.

Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery all graduated from an accredited medical school, completed an accredited rigorous residency programme of six years or more and passed a certifying exam proving their skills and knowledge. It is also important to note that board certified surgeons are happy to supply references and are governed by U.S. law. While surgeons abroad might be good professionals it is much easier to find appropriate information on a U.S. board certified surgeon making the search for the surgeon who is right for the patient safer and more convenient.

Summary

The cost of plastic surgery without doubt is an extremely important factor when undergoing a cosmetic procedure. However, the health of the patient should always be the prime concern. When choosing a plastic surgeon always consider the expertise, skill and knowledge of the surgeon and aim to opt for a doctor who is right for you and who you trust to perform a life changing procedure with results that could last a lifetime.

Revision rhinoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure which aims to improve upon the results achieved in a previous plastic surgery. Most often patients decide on revision rhinoplasty when their previous plastic surgery left them dissatisfied with the appearance or functionality of their nose. Aesthetic problems that can trouble patients include asymmetry, a wide nose tip, a still present hump on the nose, or too low a bridge. However, in some cases the functionality of the nose is also a concern for instance when patients suffer from breathing problems, collapse of the nasal valve or an unresolved deviated septum.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and able to consult on all forms of rhinoplasty.

What are the reasons for revision rhinoplasty?

Every plastic surgery solution should be preceded by an informative consultation with the plastic surgeon where the patient and doctor can talk about the problem areas and the plastic surgeon can present a realistic outcome of the proposed surgery. Unfortunately, in some cases the patient’s expectations can be too high or the surgeon can fail to inform the rhinoplasty patient about the realities of the procedure. In other cases, such Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent, all information is shared and the patient is well prepared and psychologically adjusted but external circumstances mean that more than one procedure is necessary.

The difference between rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty

Revision rhinoplasty is widely thought of as one of the most delicate and complex plastic surgery procedures. After a consultation with the plastic surgeon about the problem areas that need tackling and the formation of a realistic procedure plan, the plastic surgery itself is very similar to rhinoplasty. However, it is important to note that with each rhinoplasty surgery more scar tissue is formed which makes it difficult to accurately foretell the exact outcome of the revision surgery. It is also important to keep in mind that revision rhinoplasty often means more time in the operating theater as the sculpting and reshaping of the nose has to be more meticulous and detailed.

A consultation with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent will ensure that all issues associated with rhinoplasty are addressed long before the actual plastic surgery.