Plastic surgeries are often advertised as a permanent solution to aesthetic problems. However, not all types of plastic surgeries are, in fact, permanent. Although some cosmetic surgeries deliver results that can last for a considerable amount of time, even for ten years or longer, the results will typically diminish over time, especially as the effects of aging take hold. On the other hand, patients who undergo procedures that alter the structure of their face, such as rhinoplasty (nose jobs), otoplasty (ear surgery), and chin implants, can expect lifelong changes. But most aesthetic treatments have shorter lifespans.
Therefore, the life expectancy of most cosmetic procedures depends on the plastic surgery type performed. Other factors impacting the longevity of results include the experience and skill of the board-certified plastic surgeon who performs the operation and your body’s reaction to it.
Let’s look at the average duration of some key plastic surgeries and other aesthetic procedures.
1. Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure that breaks down and removes excess fat from the treated body areas. After a liposuction procedure, only a fraction of the original fatty tissue will be left, and the remaining fat cells are not able to reproduce. That means you can expect the results provided by a liposuction procedure to be permanent. But there is a catch! You need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to see truly lasting results.
Even though excess fat taken from the body during the surgery won’t ‘grow’ back, liposuction will not prevent you from gaining weight in the future. If you continue with the lifestyle choices that made you gain weight in the first place, you’ll likely gain weight again after the procedure. This will negate the effects achieved by liposuction. A healthy lifestyle consisting of a good, balanced diet and exercise will go a long way to making sure that the results of your liposuction last for a long time, or even permanently.
2. Botox
Botox is often used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face. When injected into certain areas, Botox relaxes the muscles, smoothing out wrinkles and giving your face a younger look overall. Although Botox injections cannot correct every facial imperfection, it is very effective in correcting and diminishing wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
The duration of the effects of Botox injections depends on two main factors – the amount of Botox injected and the frequency that you receive the injections. The effects of a single course of Botox treatments will last for around three to four months, but if you continue to receive Botox injections, the effects will last longer as your facial muscles become accustomed to the effects of the injections.
3. Facial fillers
Facial fillers or dermal fillers are injectables administered similarly to Botox. However, instead of the effect of relaxing facial muscles to reduce wrinkles, facial fillers instead make your face appear fuller.
The duration of facial fillers depends on the type of filler used. There are temporary facial fillers that last six months to a year, while the effects of semi-permanent fillers can last from five to ten years, depending on your skin type.
4. Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentations are the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. It is most definitely an invasive procedure, and although everything about the procedure is continually undergoing improvements, most women will find the need to update their implants at some point in time.
The average lifespan of a breast augmentation is 10 to 25 years, and sometimes there’s no update needed. But the primary reasons for redoing a breast augmentation include rippling or rupture of the implant and hardening of the implant solution. Some patients require a breast augmentation revision within the first two years of their initial procedure, which is usually because of improper sizing or a rare side effect.
There are signs that could indicate that it’s time for a breast implant revision surgery that could include a visible rippling of the skin, which is most evident with saline implants, the hardening of the implants, an implant rupture or deflation, and a capsule contracture (excess build-up of scar tissue). Any sudden or significant changes noticed to the breast should be brought to the immediate attention of your plastic surgeon.
Normally, breast implants don’t need to be replaced but some patients need a breast lift after their breast augmentation surgery: getting implants doesn’t cancel the effect of gravitation. In this case, patients usually prefer to exchange their implants after the lift is performed. After years of the implants wearing down gradually, a replacement could also be needed.
5. Breast Lift (mastopexy)
Unlike breast augmentations, a breast lift requires no artificial materials or implants. If a patient is happy with their results and has no desire for a future upgrade or re-do, a breast lift procedure is generally good for from 5 years to life.
However, gravity does have its effects—at least from an aesthetic standpoint. As time goes by, it’s quite possible that your skin can begin to stretch and sag again, requiring additional procedures to maintain the youthful perkiness of your breasts. Sagging is the primary reason for redoing a breast lift.
To preserve the results of a breast lift, you should avoid sun damage, minimize weight fluctuations, and always wear a supportive bra. Women with smaller breasts are also less likely to experience sagging. If maintaining perky breasts is important, reconsider getting too large a breast implant if you’re combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation.
6. Fat Transfer
With the rising popularity of “all-natural” lifestyles, more and more patients look for alternatives to common cosmetic surgeries. While synthetic fillers, artificial implants, and other substances used in cosmetic surgeries can undoubtedly produce beautiful results, patients who are interested in more natural options choose fat transfer procedures as a solution that can give them more natural results.
A fat transfer, also known as fat grafting or autologous tissue transfer, is an innovative technique that involves a board-certified plastic surgeon harvesting fat from one area of the body via liposuction and injecting it into another area. Fat grafting is beneficial for men and women looking to augment an area of their body without the use of synthetic fillers or artificial implants.
The length of time that fat transfer results will last can vary from patient to patient but, in general, most men and women can look forward to enjoying their new look for many years to come. Arguably the most important thing you can do to prolong the results of your fat transfer procedure is to avoid significant weight fluctuations, up or down. A large amount of weight gain or weight loss will cause the transferred fat cells to swell or shrink, just as they do in the rest of the body. This can severely compromise your results and lead to the need for a second or subsequent procedure in the future.
7. Tummy Tucks
Tummy tucks are a popular plastic surgery procedure that both men and women undergo. While every patient wants their plastic surgeries to last forever, there are many factors that can affect how long tummy tuck results will last.
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery that involves removing excess skin and fat in both the middle and lower abdomen to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. Many women who have given birth, and women and men who have had major weight loss, may consider this surgery since it helps with sagging and loose skin.
The length of time needed for a tummy tuck surgery is dependent upon the type of abdominoplasty selected. For full tummy tucks, it can take anywhere from two to five hours while mini tummy tucks can take just one to two hours. Abdominoplasty is done while the patient is under general anesthesia, and is considered outpatient surgery. A compression garment must be worn for a period of time after surgery for the best possible tummy tuck results. The time it takes for you to heal from a tummy tuck depends on the surgical technique chosen and the extent of skin and fat removed during surgery.
A tummy tuck doesn’t help you lose weight or prevent weight gain in the future. It’s typically used to remove excess fat and loose or bagging skin and to smooth out the abdominal area. How long your tummy tuck results will last will depend on your lifestyle. A healthy diet that allows you to maintain your weight will help ensure your results last longer!
Choosing The Right Plastic Surgeon For Your Goals
Choosing a plastic surgeon can be overwhelming, especially in Manhattan and Long Island, where there are hundreds of plastic surgeons.
Although anyone with a medical degree can perform cosmetic surgery, some doctors do not have the proper training to conduct plastic surgery at all. To choose the right plastic surgeon, you need to arm yourself with information. You can do that by conducting in-depth research.
Start your research by checking Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics’ Resource pages and About Us page. These online resources are designed to help patients obtain articles, news, important events, and other relevant information about cosmetic procedures offered at our offices.
We also encourage you to check the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the American Board of Plastic Surgery websites for a list of certified plastic surgeons near you. These medical organizations offer comprehensive information about board certified surgeons in your local area. You can also get current information about your doctor at the American College of Surgeons.
A board certified doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school. He or she has completed at least 5 years of additional residency, at least 3 years of general surgery, and 2 to 3 years of plastic surgery. To know more about the credentials of a specific American Board of Plastic Surgery plastic surgeon, call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Plastic Surgery Information Service at 800-635-0635.
During your research, verify the credentials, information, and accreditation of a plastic surgery facility to ensure appropriate licenses from state licensing agency and medical society.
Experienced plastic surgeons are more than happy to provide all the information you need about their credentials, including professional organizations they belong to and certifications awarded to them.
Just like any clinical medicine, plastic surgery is always evolving and improving in discipline. Your plastic surgeon should know all the latest developments in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Your board-certified plastic surgeon should always offer the latest and safest technologies.
Make The Right Choices To Make Your Results Last Longer!
Unfortunately, no cosmetic procedure produces life-long results. You have to undergo the same treatments again after a few months or years, depending on the procedure, making cosmetic enhancements a long-term investment. But if you follow some common guidelines to take care of yourself and your health, you can make sure the results of your cosmetic procedure lasts as long as possible.
Practice healthy habits
Your lifestyle choices can affect your cosmetic enhancements in several ways. For example, smoking negatively affects your skin, which can undo the results of a facelift. Products containing nicotine can make it difficult for your body to heal, especially after undergoing surgery. So avoid drug use, excessive drinking, and smoking if you want your cosmetic enhancements to hold up.
Maintain a good skincare routine
Make sure to stick to a strict skincare routine. Good skincare reinforces the positive results of cosmetic procedures. When you’re kind to your skin, you prevent outside factors from messing with the results of your cosmetic procedure.
For starters, proper post-surgical skincare makes a big difference in how the final results look. Cleaning your face with a mild facial wash, for example, keeps the area clean without being too harsh on your fresh wounds. The right skincare products and practices help maintain and enhance the results of cosmetic procedures. Check out our full selection of high-quality skincare products here.
Show off your newly plumped lips by using a gentle lip scrub that gets rid of dead skin cells. Keep dark circles and wrinkles from showing up around your eyes with the right eye cream. These simple practices can extend the results of your cosmetic procedures.
Keep yourself active
Getting proper exercise is crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle after your cosmetic surgery. Of course, straining your body when you’re fresh from a surgical procedure isn’t advised, but regular exercise once you’ve healed is a must. The results of cosmetic procedures may seem magical, but the results of body contouring and liposuction can be undone if you don’t exercise regularly, and follow the specific recommendations of your plastic surgeon.
Significant weight fluctuations can compromise the outcome of a cosmetic surgery procedure, which is why it’s recommended that you only undergo significant cosmetic surgery if you are certain you can maintain your weight.
Watch what you eat
Along with proper exercise you should maintain a healthy diet. Unhealthy eating habits can compromise the results of any cosmetic enhancement.
Healthy eating and proper hydration make the post-surgery healing process proceed smoother. When your body is sufficiently nourished and hydrated, it works efficiently, leading to an easier and quicker recovery period.
In addition, the right diet reinforces the results of your exercise routine. If you eat balanced meals, you can maintain your weight better and will have more energy to exercise.
If you had a cosmetic procedure done, you can maintain your results and prevent sagging, wrinkled skin from reappearing if your body is hydrated and your skin gets the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs.
Avoid sun exposure
Wrinkles, discolored, or uneven skin tone, and pigmentation are just some of the negative effects of overexposure to the sun. As a solution to these skin problems, you can undergo different kinds of cosmetic procedures, from microneedling to laser skin resurfacing.
With plenty of procedures available to solve sun damage problems, it’s clear that too much sun exposure is an enemy to your skin. It’s true before you get any type of cosmetic treatment and even more so after you’ve had them. For starters, your skin will be sensitive immediately following a cosmetic procedure, so you should stay away from direct sun exposure. Otherwise, the regular post-operative swelling you’ll experience from your treatment may worsen.
After you have healed completely, it’s smart to limit exposure to the sun and wear enough sunscreen to maintain the results of your procedures. By wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, you’ll be protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and avoid fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of sun damage to reappear.
Make Aristocrat Your Choice for Results You Can Count On!
At Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, we believe that plastic surgery offers the ultimate expression of art in surgery. This is where age-appropriate surgery and effective beauty therapy can make you look younger and hence make you feel more confident. We offer the most advanced techniques in plastic surgery on our premises created with an eye for beauty.
Dr. Kevin Tehrani is one of the best plastic surgeons in New York. Renowned for his mastery of aesthetic surgery, Dr. Tehrani is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Click here to check out Dr. Tehrani’s page on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. You can also research Dr. Tehrani on the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website. Call today to make an appointment for a consultation!