The Utah State Plastic Surgery Society – A Trusted Cosmetic Surgery Resource – Breast Lift, Facelift, and More
The Utah State Plastic Surgery Society is a directory which lists only the most highly qualified and experienced practitioners in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. We strive to encourage the highest standards in the field of plastic surgery and to disseminate trustworthy and reliable information regarding the various types of cosmetic procedures and treatments. Rest assured that our surgeons will provide you with years of relevant experience and the highest levels of consideration, comfort, and satisfaction. The USPSS also seeks to educate prospective patients about various cosmetic surgery procedures so that they can make informed, confident decisions about cosmetic surgery.
Please take the time to read about the procedures you are interested in, and then use our directory to find a qualified plastic surgeon in your area.
Facial Rejuvenation
Facial rejuvenation is a term referring to a set of cosmetic procedures aimed at restoring or rejuvenating a youthful appearance using various methods such as:
Facelift
Facelift is a cosmetic procedure which removes excess facial skin and tightens facial muscles in order to reverse the visible signs of aging. The facelift procedure rejuvenates facial characteristics and creates a more youthful appearance.
Brow Lift
The brow lift, or browplasty, is a cosmetic procedure most often used to correct a drooping or sagging eye brow line. Patients usually undergo brow lift surgery in order to rejuvenate the overall appearance of their face and eliminate the unintended signs of anger or fatigue associated with a sagging brow line.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Blepharoplasty, otherwise known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure which seeks to remove excess eyelid tissue and to reshape the upper or lower eyelid. The presence of excess amounts of eyelid skin may impede peripheral vision and cause difficulties in reading, driving, and other activities.
Neck Lift
Patients choose to undergo neck lift surgery for several reasons. Often, the first area to show signs of aging is the neck. Patients who lost weight may have excess skin on the neck which has lost some of its natural elasticity. In choosing to undergo this cosmetic procedure, you can enhance the look of your neck by removing fat, excess skin, or tightening the neck muscles.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as nose surgery, is a procedure which may be performed for aesthetic or functional purposes. Patients undergo rhinoplasty to correct traumatic injuries and breathing problems, as well as to enhance the aesthetic qualities of their nose.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to enhance the aesthetic characteristics of the face. Otoplasty is a multifaceted procedure which includes ear pinning, reshaping the ears, reducing the size of the ears, and making the ears more symmetrical.
BOTOX® Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a non-surgical procedure which injects botulinum toxin into the skin. This is done in order to eliminate forehead creases and frown lines. The toxin rejuvenates the skin, making it look smoother, by blocking nerve impulses and paralyzing muscles which cause wrinkling. BOTOX® Cosmetic is also documented as an effective method of alleviating migraine headaches.
Dermal Fillers: ArteFill®, EVOLENCE®, JUVÉDERM™, Radiesse®, and Restylane®
The injection of dermal fillers is a popular method of reversing the effects associated with aging without having to undergo plastic surgery. The dermis is a layer of skin which loses its vigor with age. Dermal fillers can eliminate wrinkles and scars and enhance other parts of your face. Dermal fillers are generally very safe and painless to inject. The effects of the procedure are long lasting, and the risk of complications is minimal. There are various dermal fillers which can restore a natural youthful appearance to the face, including ArteFill®, EVOLENCE®, JUVÉDERM™, Radiesse®, and Restylane®.
Breast Surgery
Breast surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure performed to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. Women decide to undergo breast surgery for a variety of reasons, which include correcting a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy, balancing a difference in size between breasts, and enhancing the size and shape of the breasts for personal gratification. Some of the procedures involved in breast surgery are:
Breast Augmentation (Enhancement with Breast Implants)
Enhancement with breast implants is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures and involves only minimal risk factors. Women may choose to get breast implants for several reasons. Asymmetrical or underdeveloped breasts may prompt women to consider breast implants as an option. Other factors such as aging, weight loss, or childbirth may affect the volume and shape of the breasts.
Breast Lift
Patients choose to undergo breast lift for a variety of reasons, some of which are aimed at enhancing the aesthetic qualities, combating the effects of gravity, pregnancy, and aging. Breast lift is also meant to improve the form and the basic functionality of the breasts, like the ability to participate more comfortably in sports and fit better in a wider variety of clothing. Breast lift is one of the safest and most widely performed breast surgery procedures. Many factors affect a patient’s decision to get a breast lift, including loss of skin elasticity, sagging due to weight loss, and loss of firmness and shape due to pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Body Procedures
Body procedures include a number of treatments that can reshape, improve, and restore a youthful appearance to various parts of the body. Individuals who are anxious about disproportionate contours, excess or loose skin, or excess fat can undergo a number of different body procedures.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a method of improving body contour by removing excess fat. Liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body including the stomach, buttocks, hips, thighs, breasts, arms and neck. The liposuction technique is quite simple, with minimal scarring and pain involved. The results of liposuction are long lasting but may be affected by aging, weight gain, or pregnancy. Liposuction utilizes a small metal tube, called a cannula, which suctions fat from targeted areas on the body through a small incision.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure which can tighten loose or flabby abdominal skin and get rid of excess abdominal fat. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can be beneficial to both men and women. Men seeking to enhance the aesthetic qualities of their abdomen or remove flaccid skin caused by weight loss can use abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to their benefit. Women who are frustrated by the appearance of their bodies after pregnancy can use abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to tighten muscles which have been separated or weakened.
Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss: Arm Lift, Belt Lipectomy, and Lower Body Lift
Body contouring is a term generalizing various cosmetic surgery procedures performed to give the body a more youthful appearance. The desired look may be achieved in stages or in a single session, depending on the types of procedures and the patient’s overall health. An arm lift can remove loose or flabby skin and excess fat to create a more youthful appearance. Quite often, upper arms are among the first areas to display aging. With belt lipectomy, a patient can get rid of excess fat located around the waist area. This procedure is most often performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck. A lower body lift tightens loose or sagging skin in the thighs, hips, and buttocks.
Laser Procedures
Laser procedures are among the most popular, cutting-edge cosmetic surgery procedures to date. In order to combat the adverse effects of aging skin, plastic surgeons have various techniques at their disposal.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic surgery techniques used to eliminate unwanted hair and reduce the growth of new hair. Laser hair removal utilizes a low-energy laser beam which passes through the skin and targets hair follicles.
Laser Spider Vein Treatment
Laser spider vein treatment reduces the visibility of blood vessels which can develop on the face and legs. During a laser spider vein treatment, energy from the laser beam causes spider veins to coagulate and shrink. Laser spider vein treatment offers immediate results with minimal discomfort. Results vary depending on the size of the spider veins.
Laser Wrinkle Treatment
The laser wrinkle treatment is meant to enhance the overall appearance of your face, rejuvenate the skin to make it look younger and healthier, and get rid of creases and frown lines which accumulate and become more apparent with age. The laser wrinkle treatment improves the look of your face by eliminating dynamic wrinkles, frown lines, and fine wrinkles, which appear on the surface of the skin, and skin fold wrinkles, which extend from the nose to the chin. The type of laser wrinkle treatment depends on the type of wrinkles a patient chooses to target.
Laser Blemish Removal
Laser blemish removal is a safe and effective non-invasive procedure which removes skin imperfections. The laser blemish removal method eliminates undesirable skin features such as acne, birthmarks, warts, and moles. Laser blemish removal utilizes state-of-the-art technology to produce immediate results.
Cosmetic Surgery FAQs
Here at the Utah State Plastic Surgery Society, we realize that patients may feel anxious and uncertain as they ponder the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. In an effort to make our patients feel more confident and address some possible concerns and misconceptions, we have compiled a list of FAQs (frequently asked questions) to help you better understand the process.
Am I a candidate for cosmetic surgery?
Ideally, patients who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery have realistic expectations of the procedure and its outcomes. A strong self-image, an optimistic personality, and a good reason for pursuing cosmetic surgery are some of the most important components which make up a good candidate. A cosmetic surgeon will also perform a full analysis of your prior health history and any conditions which may affect the outcome of the surgery. Some of the factors to consider are:
- Weight
- Age
- Recent traumatic injury
- Heart, lung, or central nervous system disorders
- History of cancer
- Usage of oral contraceptives
Is there a minimum age for cosmetic surgery?
There is no minimum age requirement to pursue cosmetic surgery. However, there are certain procedures which are age-sensitive; in other words, a patient who is over 40 is more likely to undergo a facelift than someone who is 25 years old. Our board-certified plastic surgeons will review each procedure on a case-by-case basis to determine which procedure is best for you.
Will my insurance cover cosmetic surgery?
Insurance providers do not cover plastic surgery procedures that are performed for purely cosmetic reasons. However, some reconstructive procedures, including tummy tuck for gastric bypass patients and rhinoplasty for patients who have breathing problems, may be partially or fully covered by your insurance provider.
Can I finance my cosmetic surgery?
Yes. With the convenience of financing, you have more time to focus your attention on the recovery period.
How long is my recovery period?
The recovery period depends on the type of cosmetic surgery procedure that has been performed. On average, it takes a few weeks to resume normal activity, and three to six months for swelling and bruising to disappear completely. Make sure you refrain from doing any strenuous activity during your recovery period and taking medications or supplements which may thin the blood.